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Redknapp leaves Spurs: Harry's rollercoaster 2012

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Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp has left his post as Tottenham manager after four years at the White Hart Lane helm.

It has been a rollercoaster 2012 for Redknapp, 65, who has seen plenty of highs and lows - on and off the football pitch - over the past six months.

Here 大象传媒 Sport looks back at six pivotal moments in the final months of Redknapp's reign at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp cleared of tax evasion charges

An emotional Redknapp said his "nightmare" was over after being cleared of two charges of tax evasion on 8 February following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.

The 65-year-old had denied accepting secret untaxed bonus payments from former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, while he was manager at Fratton Park.

Former England bosses Graham Taylor and Sven-Goran Eriksson said the verdict opened the way for Redknapp to take charge of the national team in the future.

Capello resigns as England manager

Hours after Redknapp's acquittal, the Football Association announced that Fabio Capello had resigned from his post as England boss.

Redknapp was immediately installed as the bookies' overwhelming favourite to replace the Italian and also received the support of many senior England players on social networking site Twitter.

He admitted he would be "flattered" to be asked by the governing body to take charge.

England appoint Roy Hodgson

Despite months of speculation that Redknapp was leading the race to take over from Capello, the FA announced the appointment of West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson on 1 May.

Afterwards a rueful Redknapp conceded he would never be given the opportunity to manage his country, but graciously wished Hodgson success in the role.

Earlier this week, he revealed on 大象传媒's Match of the Day he was never approached for the job but admitted he would have found it "difficult" to turn down any offer from the FA.

Tottenham finish fourth

High-flying Spurs were touted as genuine Premier League title challengers after claiming 50 points from their first 24 league games.

A downturn in form swiftly followed Redknapp's court acquittal and his side subsequently surrended a commanding 10-point advantage over north London rivals Arsenal in the race for third.

However, a top-four finish remained in their own hands heading into the final day of the Premier League season and they clinched fourth with a 2-0 home win against Fulham.

But their tally of just 19 points from their final 14 games proved a telling statistic as they let third place, which they had held for a large part of the season, slip out of their grasp.

Chelsea win Champions League

Finishing fourth in the Premier League was not enough to guarantee Champions League football returning to White Hart Lane.

They knew Chelsea would snatch England's fourth and final spot in Europe's elite competition from under their noses by beating German favourites Bayern Munich in the 2012 final.

Redknapp said he would be cheering on Bayern to ensure his side qualified, but was left heartbroken when the Blues lifted the trophy with a dramatic penalty shootout victory.

Futures of Spurs stars

Last month Redknapp warned Tottenham that the club would be "finished" if leading players such as Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are sold this summer.

Spurs' star duo were heavily linked with moves away from White Hart Lane towards the end of Redknapp's tenure, but he insisted he was "looking to build a team, not dismantle".

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