LEAD: Redknapp cleared of tax evasion, favourite for England job

By Ben James Feb 8, 2012, 13:13 GMT

London - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was cleared of a tax evasion charge by a court in London on Wednesday and was immediately installed as the odds-on favourite to replace Fabio Capello as the next England manager this summer.

After a trial that lasted more than two weeks, the Tottenham manager was cleared of charges that he accepted secret untaxed bonus payments from former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric while he was that club's manager.

Mandaric was also cleared of two charges of cheating the public revenue.

After the verdict Redknapp embraced Mandaric and said it had been 'a nightmare'.

'It's been five years,' he said. 'It's a case that never should have come to court.

'I'm looking forward to going home and getting on with my life.'

Redknapp was accused of cheating the public revenue in relation to payments totalling 189,000 pounds (about 300,000 dollars) made to his bank account in Monaco.

The prosecution had alleged the money was a bonus for selling Peter Crouch and beating Manchester United.

A statement from Tottenham said: 'Everyone at the club is delighted for Harry and his family.'

Bookmakers immediately slashed the odds on Redknapp taking over from Capello as England manager when the Italian's contract expires in the summer.