HARRY Redknapp admitted this week he would welcome the ‘aggravation’ of managing England, as the Spurs boss emerged as the front-runner to replace Fabio Capello.

Italian Capello is set to end his spell as manager of the national side after Euro 2012, with Redknapp high up on a ‘not very long list’ of potential replacements.

And ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with FC Twente on Tuesday, the Tottenham manager suggested that he would welcome the switch from White Hart Lane to Soho Square.

“Do I need the aggravation? It’s aggravation managing Tottenham, isn’t it? It’s what you get with the job,” said Redknapp.

“You either enjoy it and get on with it, or you turn it in and walk the dogs and play golf. That’s my choice, isn’t it? And while I enjoy it, you keep going.” Redknapp, who will be 65 at the time Capello quits, may be tempted to take on the ultimate challenging of managing the national side, becoming the first Englishman to so since Kevin Keegan.

“No, it’s not an easy job, but I think in football now, the more experienced managers are still in big positions,” added Redknapp. “Alex (68-year-old Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson) is still as good as ever.”

Redknapp has emerged as the fans’ choice to take over the England role, having transformed Spurs from relegation candidates to the side which dismantled European Champions Inter Milan at White Hart Lane last month.

Tottenham’s qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League has raised his stock even further, with FA general secretary Alex Horne admitting the 63-year-old is one of the names at the top of the list of potential successors to Capello.

“I would expect Harry to make a long list (for the England job). It may not be a very long list,” said Horne. “He is a great manager. Tottenham are playing great football and to qualify well for the Champions League knockout stage from a position of being fourth favourites in the group is huge testimony to that.”

Peter Crouch this week said it was ‘inevitable’, and Tottenham legend Gary Mabbutt also backed Redknapp as the right choice. He said: “I believe he (Redknapp) has got what the England team needs.

“The ability to bring the whole squad together to play as players – that’s the best thing he has done for Tottenham.”