THERE are times in life when you simply have to get something out of your system once and for all.

“Harry” Redknapp and the England manager’s job is one of them.

Harry Redknapp hasn’t managed in his native country for 18 months, and his appointment to the England job would be about as much of a long-term fix as a Botox jab.

Yet his elevation to manage the team – the oft-discussed ‘root and branch’ changes to the game are best left to others – would make perfect sense.

Following the catastrophic defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016, England require an instant shot in the arm. As he proved at Portsmouth and Tottenham, Redknapp is an ‘impact’ manager who can galvanise teams immediately.

Within six months of being appointed Spurs boss, Redknapp had taken Tottenham to the League Cup final

When he took over at White Hart Lane in October 2008, Spurs had only taken two points from eight matches. Gareth Bale recalled: “Morale was all over the place, but Harry was a great motivator who exudes confidence and enthusiasm.” Tottenham skipper Ledley King added: “Harry reminded us that playing football could actually be fun.”

INTERVIEW

• Ledley King: One-on-One

Ah, fun. When, in an international tournament, was the last time that England players conveyed anything other than the feeling that they’d rather be having root canal surgery than playing for their country? That could all change.

Players’ man

Although he once claimed “I don’t do tactics”, the 69-year-old is actually tactically adept, and shifted his formation around at Tottenham to get the best out of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart. The Dutchman expressed relief that Redknapp never adopted the “clipboard and lectures which bored many of us at Real Madrid”..

Redknapp is ideally suited to lift the spirits of Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane following their disappointing displays in France, and massaging those other egos within the England dressing room.

Harry’s motivational skills could unlock the potential in England’s talented team

He understands the mindset of English players. No Don Revie-style dossiers for ‘Arry. No Fabio Capello-ish morning ‘briefings’ either. And certainly no Roy Hodgson hand-wringing and fudging about team selection and formation.

Redknapp doesn’t favour brain-sapping analysis of the opposition either, and tends to keep team meetings brief, simple and direct, which fits in well with the average attention span of English players. “As long as every player knows his role in the team, it’s job done,” was how he summed up his thoughts on those get-togethers.

Humour plays a large part in Redknapp’s approach, and he isn’t averse to allowing his players some ‘nocturnal unwinding’ once in a while. More human, less robotic. It might appear a regressive, anti-intellectual outlook, but as Terry Venables after Euro 96 said: “You get nothing out of uptight players.”

Redknapp’s most recent managerial role was with the Jordan national team

Redknapp would be free of those pesky wheeler-dealer transfer accusations which annoy him intensely, and he could travel around to watch players and chat to journalists as often as he likes. The London-based press have always liked him, after all.

At 69, he’d relish the short, intense bursts of managing England, rather than the daily grind of club management. This is surely the last chance for Redknapp to convince the FA that he can break the mould and be a success at the World Cup or European Championship.

In the past, in roles with various TV and radio stations, he has been highly critical of the FA’s decision to go down another road.

After Capello drew 2-2 with the Czech Republic at Wembley in August 2008, Redknapp tucked into the country’s new Italian coach. “4321 — what is that, Dusty Bin?” he famously remarked before criticising Capello for playing Gerrard out on the left.

Redknapp is a throwback, simplifying the game for his players

Redknapp simplifies the game, stripping down the tactics and sending players out in their preferred positions.

In an era of England DNA and the obsession with laptop managers, Redknapp is a throwback to another era.

Chief executive Martin Glenn, technical boss Dan Ashworth and board member David Gill are in charge of the search. Dan Ashworth, the main man tasked with hiring the next England manager, is under immense pressure to make the right call, and he is prepared to detach England’s development teams from the senior side if it leads to some short-term success.

The FA is not seeking a quick fix as it is looking at a long-term plan and a manager who will embrace the national coaching centre at St George’s Park.

Redknapp believes he is the man, convinced that he is the inspirational coach chief executive Martin Glenn talked about after England’s disastrous showing at the Euros.

How true to Ashworth’s vision is that? There is only one way to find out. Hiring the man himself.

In less than two months, the national team face a tough trip to Slovakia to embark on their World Cup 2018 qualification bid.

Its players need to look forward to playing for their country, relax and bloody well smile once in a while. With Redknapp concentrating on man-management and bringing back some optimism, England could actually flourish with the wily old fox in charge for a two-year joyride, and a young apprentice by his side.