Harry Redknapp was sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur yesterday after nearly four years in charge of the Premier League club.

“This is not a decision the board and I have taken lightly,” said Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

“This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution.”

Spurs were bottom of the Premier League table when Redknapp arrived at White Hart Lane from Portsmouth in 2008.

Redknapp, 65, was known to be pushing Levy for an extension to his contract, which was due to expire at the end of next season.

It has been claimed that Levy was only willing to offer Redknapp a rolling 12-month contract whereas Redknapp favoured a longer deal.

Redknapp, whose status as the media and fans’ favourite to become the next manager of England was ignored by the FA when they chose Roy Hodgson instead, did achieve Levy’s goal of a top-four Premier League finish last season.

But while that would normally have been good enough for Champions League football next season it wasn’t this time because London rivals Chelsea won the 2011-12 edition and thereby qualified as European champions.

Tottenham were third and 10 points clear of north London rivals Arsenal when Fabio Capello resigned in protest at the FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy. Had they stayed third, rather than been overtaken by Arsenal, Spurs would have qualified for the Champions League regardless of Chelsea’s triumph.

Everton manager David Moyes, linked with the Tottenham job when Redknapp was being touted for the England post, remains the bookmakers’ favourite now there is a vacancy.