Football
PA Sport 8y

Harry Redknapp thrilled to be fulfilling international ambition with Jordan

Harry Redknapp feels he is finally fulfilling his international ambitions with Jordan.

The ex-West Ham and Portsmouth boss also revealed he rejected two approaches from Egyptian clubs before accepting Prince Ali bin Al Hussein's job offer.

Redknapp has signed a two-game deal with Jordan to keep their 2018 World Cup qualification dreams alive.

They host Bangladesh on Thursday before flying to Sydney to play Australia on Tuesday in the second round of Asian qualifying.

In 2012 Redknapp missed out on the England job to Roy Hodgson and believes he is now in an ideal place to manage in international football.

"I've always thought it would be nice. In lots of ways it would suit me better at my stage rather than be there day-in day-out with all the aggravation. Maybe this is something that is not full on,'' said Redknapp, who joined Derby as an advisor earlier this month.

"I should have probably have taken the Ukraine job I agreed to go a couple of years back, but this is great. Once I said yes to Prince Ali and then Derby came in, whatever happened I knew I was going to Jordan.

"This is good, I have the best of both worlds now. It's an international team and so it means a lot to the nation. It's important to me too. Me and Kevin [Bond, assistant] are going to try and get the results.

"It's something to talk about, something to tell people. I went out to Jordan.''

Redknapp was also wanted by Egyptian clubs Zamalek and Al-Ahly but turned them down.

He said: "You never know what comes around the corner. I had the chance four weeks ago to manage two top teams in Egypt. I met them both but decided I did not want to manage full time in Egypt. I got offered both within a week of each other. Martin Jol and Alex McLeish took them.

"There were a couple of other offers in the season. This was exciting. It had to be something I really fancied and these [Jordan and Derby] were two good opportunities.

"It's great to manage a national team and to go to Australia where there will be a great crowd and a fantastic atmosphere and then to go to Derby - a really good football club with a great stadium, fantastic training ground and a great set-up.''

Two wins would guarantee progress into the third round for Jordan but anything less would leave them relying on other results if they are to qualify as four of the best runners-up. They currently sit two points behind Australia in Group B ahead of their final two games.

Redknapp is usually based on the south coast but admitted he has already been spotted by Jordan fans in England.

He added: "Last week I was having my hair cut in Charminster in Bournemouth. It's full of people from this [Jordan] part of the world. A guy comes in and says 'Harry you're coming to Jordan. Come into the cafe next door.' When I got there they were all waiting for me.''

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