Now England's friendly with Holland is out of the way the FA has admitted a list has been drawn up in their search for Fabio Capello's successor.

Plenty of names have been mentioned, including Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

However it seems more a case of when, rather than if, the FA will make their move.

That is certainly the way Ferguson sees it which is why, with a title still to go for, and a place in next season's Champions League so close, he worries what impact it might have on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

"The people who will be more concerned are the Tottenham directors," said Ferguson.

"I am sure they will be wondering what the next step is.

"I don't think they can dismiss the eventuality of the FA making contact. It is going to happen.

"They will be more worried than the actual players."

Ferguson has previously stated Redknapp is the right man for the job and repeated that his old friend had the right credentials today.

The Scot also believes Redknapp would like a crack at it, which raises a problem because the United manager has also said in the past that when he announced he was leaving, in 2002, his players began to ease off.

"When I said I was going to retire it definitely had an effect on the dressing room," said Ferguson.

"It is a little bit different because it is only speculation.

"Harry has not made any statement saying he wants the England job although I think the general feeling is he would relish it."

Other than Roy Hodgson, it is hard to think of an English-born candidate who fits the bill.

Throughout his career, Redknapp has built teams that play attractive football.

At Portsmouth he won that elusive major trophy, whilst Tottenham have returned to being a top flight force under his command.

"You judge any manager on longevity and Harry has survived all the different types of challenges," said Ferguson.

"He was bottom of the league at Portsmouth and he rescued them, which was an amazing achievement.

"If he hadn't gone there, they were relegated.

"He has influenced the team everywhere he has been. That is a good way to assess a manager.

"He never seems to be in a panic. He seems to be calm. He is never in a tizzy - unlike myself."