Sir Trevor Brooking has angrily rejected claims that he single-handedly cost Harry Redknapp his chance of the biggest job in English football.

As Football Association director of football development, Brooking was part of the four-man panel that confounded popular expectations by  awarding the England managership to Roy Hodgson.

The fall-out from that decision produced a crop of hints and allegations that Brooking’s fierce dislike for the
Spurs manager had resulted in Redknapp’s rejection. The feud is said to have developed following the departure of Billy Bonds as  manager of West Ham in August 1994. Bonds believed that Redknapp, his assistant at Upton Park, had been offered the job behind his back. He was bitterly resentful of what he regarded as disloyalty.

Cheer up: Harry Redknapp missed out on the England job to Roy Hodgson

Brooking, a long- standing colleague and close friend of Bonds, shared his  disappointment with Redknapp.

Brooking is astounded by suggestions that the ancient argument had shaped the England managerial decision.

‘I’ve heard the  whispers and I’ve seen one or two things which have been written, and it’s just outrageous,’ he said last night. ‘That business has got to be, what, nearly 20 years ago, hasn’t it? Sure, I wasn’t happy at the time, but I made my points then. To suggest I could be so petty is just absurd.

‘I’ve met Harry many times since then and it doesn’t even cross my mind. I never give it a thought. Listen, if you can bear a grudge for nearly 20 years, then it’s time to take a look at yourself. There were a number of candidates discussed’ — it is understood there were four names on the  short-list — ‘and I had no problems with any of them. It wasn’t an issue.’

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