Nervous times: Redknapp was again joined by his son, Jamie (left), as the two-week case reached its climax

Even after guiding Tottenham to the Champions League and victories over Inter and AC Milan, the joy would soon give way to the terrifying prospect of justice not being done. There was nothing anyone could say to ease those fears, not even when John Kelsey-Fry, his brilliant defence QC, told him over dinner on Tuesday that he was supremely confident of victory.

Redknapp did not sleep a wink in his London hotel and, as he waited for the jury to return, a friend said the 64-year-old was trembling with fear. On Wednesday, he said he was hugely appreciative of the support he received from Richard Bevan, the League Managers Association chief executive who had been in court most days.

But Kelsey-Fry was right and, shortly after 11.30am, Redknapp emerged from the ordeal with his reputation intact. He was cleared of any wrongdoing in that civil tax inquiry, just as he was acquitted on Wednesday. There is no stain on Redknapp’s character; nothing that can be held against him. As he told the police and the News of the World reporter who rang him 48 hours before the 2009 Carling Cup final, ‘you’ll find nothing on me’.

It means Redknapp can return to the role he performs with such  distinction; that of a football manager with the ability to get the best out of the teams he skilfully creates.

Under Redknapp, West Ham finished fifth in the Premier League; under Redknapp Portsmouth not only established themselves in the top flight but also won the FA Cup; and under Redknapp Tottenham have their finest team in decades; a team challenging the might of Manchester in this season’s title race and, in the opinion of Sir Alex Ferguson, playing the best football in England.

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