HARRY Redknapp said his “nightmare” was over after being cleared of tax evasion.The Tottenham boss had denied accepting secret untaxed bonus payments from former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, while he was club manager.Mandaric was also cleared of two charges of cheating the public revenue over the £189,000 payments.Redknapp, who was close to tears, said the case “should never have come to court”.Speaking on the steps of Southwark Crown Court, he thanked his family, the fans at Tottenham and his legal team after coming through the five-year investigation, which is believed to have cost about £8m.He said: “The Wigan game [on 31 January] was the most moving I’ve ever felt, for me personally to have them singing my name throughout the game while all this was going on, that will always be special to me.Harry Redknapp with Peter Crouch Peter Crouch was sold by Portsmouth to Aston Villa in 2002“It’s been a nightmare, it’s been five years, it’s a case that should never have come to court.Former England boss Graham Taylor said the verdict now opens the way for Redknapp to take charge of the national team in the future.
