Tottenham Hotspur: Champions League not a factor in exit - Redknapp UPDATED

Spurs confirmed the 65-year-old’s departure in the early hours of this morning after negotiations over a contract extension with chairman Daniel Levy broke down.

Redknapp believes this outcome was inevitable, regardless of what happened on the pitch - with Spurs losing out on Champions League football again despite finishing fourth in the Barclays Premier League, because of Chelsea’s Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich last month.

“We finished fourth and were unlucky at the end, but I think the same outcome would have happened,” Redknapp said on BBC Radio Five Live.

“Even if we had finished fourth, the chairman would have gone down the same road. But that is football.

“I had four great years at Spurs. All you can do is leave the club in a better state than you found it and I did that, for sure.”

Everton manager David Moyes was today the odds-on favourite to replace Redknapp, who transformed the fortunes of the north London club since taking charge in October 2008.

Chairman Levy said it was not a decision the board had made lightly.

A statment on the club’s official website read: “Harry arrived at the club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed.

“This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution.

“Harry will always be welcome at the Lane.”