Jones: Respects Redknapp

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Dave Jones has declared that FA Cup final opponent Harry Redknapp deserved to be made England manager.

Portsmouth boss Redknapp was linked with the job before the appointment of Italian tactician Fabio Capello late last year.

Cardiff chief Jones, who will pit his wits against Redknapp in Saturday's showpiece, cannot understand why the Football Association opted for a foreign coach

He believes there were a number of English alternatives and feels Redknapp would have been a popular choice.

"I'm old school and think the England manager should be English," Jones said in the Daily Star.

Success

"We just seem to be into this foreign thing. Okay, the FA got their fingers burned with Steve McClaren - yet there are a lot of good English managers around.

"Alan Curbishley would also have been a choice and I would like to know why the FA think foreign is best?

"Sven Goran Eriksson did a decent job but he didn't win anything.

"I think countries like Italy, France and Spain should take some of our managers and I will guarantee success.

"I have the utmost respect for Redknapp. He is a real football man and would have been the people's choice as England manager."