Harry Redknapp has revealed a buyout clause in his Tottenham contract blocked him from taking the England job.

Redknapp, then 65, was the overwhelming favourite to become the next Three Lions boss after Fabio Capello walked out as manager just before the 2012 Euros, given how he had guided Spurs to the Champions League for the first time in their history.

He looked to be a shoo-in for the job but the FA decided to appoint Roy Hodgson as England manager instead, leaving fans confused as to why Redknapp didn't get the nod.

"I had this crazy clause in my contract which meant that if another club came after me – or in this case the FA – they would have to pay £5million back to Portsmouth, the last club I was at before Spurs, plus all my wages for my time at Tottenham and whatever was left on my contract," Redknapp recalled in his new book 'When Harry Met Sandra'.

"It was looking like a £15m buy-out clause… I didn't look at the finer print. I never have, and that is my fault and I should have done. It was a crazy clause, all in Tottenham's favour, but what could I do?

"I just think I would have worked out very expensive for the FA and Roy would have been a cheaper option.

"I am not having a pop at Roy by the way, or running him down. I think he is a decent fella with great experience. I just think he was probably a bit more of the FA's cup of tea than I ever was.

"I was kicking myself over that bloody contract. But, as I say, it wasn't meant to be."