Relaxed: People's favourite Harry Redknapp leaves his home in Poole free from the pressure of his court trial

He carries the feelgood factor after the disillusionment that followed England’s 2010 World Cup campaign and, with just 15 months remaining on his club contract, he is as good as available while still being in useful employment.

All Redknapp has to do now is wait. Say nothing, do nothing. He has a job and is rightly happy with it. He does not need to go creeping to the FA, he does not need to so much as flutter his eyelashes. They need him so much more than he does them.

A salary in excess of the £3million he earns at Tottenham, his own backroom staff and a contract that lasts until the day after the 2014 World Cup final should do it. Nothing too grand. To be England manager is a two-year job these days. It is time to stop the pretence.

The sneering obituaries written for Capello reveal the reality of managing England. Win a World Cup or sling your hook. Simple as that. The FA will claim the position is about development and strategy.

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