Spurs sacking shocked Joe Jordan

Joe Jordan says he and Harry Redknapp hold nothing against Daniel Levy, but the former Tottenham coach admits he did not expect to be sacked over the summer.

Tottenham chairman Levy stunned many in the game in June when he sacked Redknapp and some of his backroom staff, including Scotland legend Jordan, after deciding they were not the right men to take the club forward.

Redknapp and his team had finished fourth, fifth and fourth during their three full seasons at the club, which is why Jordan was not expecting to have his contract terminated.

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The Scot revealed he only suspected his time at White Hart Lane was coming to an end after contract negotiations between Levy and Redknapp stalled, but he says he does not hold any animosity towards the Spurs chairman.

“Not really,” Jordan said. “And I don’t think Harry does either. He has been long enough in the game to know that was it.

“You move on. (Being sacked) was not something I expected. When I finished the season I can’t say I went away thinking our future was in danger, but once the discussion regarding the extension of contracts stalled my point of view changed on it.

“Then it happened very quickly. His contract was terminated and I got word the next day that had happened to myself.”

Jordan has developed a close working relationship with Redknapp since their time coaching together at Portsmouth, with whom they won the FA Cup in 2008.

Redknapp now works as a pundit on Match of the Day and as an advisor to his old club Bournemouth – who yesterday completed the signing of former England goalkeeper David James on a short-term deal – but his appetite for management has not diminished despite his sacking from Spurs, according to Jordan.

“You can never knock his enthusiasm, hunger and desire to be involved in the game,” said Jordan, who was speaking ahead of ESPN’s coverage of Manchester United v Tottenham this afternoon.

“We don’t know what’s around the corner but as an individual he thinks he has a lot to offer football.”