AFTER coaching Spurs and West Ham, Harry Redknapp must have thought his chances of taking part in a World Cup qualifier were minimal once he was passed over for the England job.

But instead the 69-year-old will face Australia in Sydney in 12 days time, after agreeing to take over the Jordanian national team for two games.

The unlikely appointment - a result of Redknapp’s friendship with the Jordanian FIFA executive Prince Ali - is likely to mean even more focus on what is likely to be a winners-take-all game in Sydney, with qualification for the final phase of games for the World Cup on the line.

Jordan are second to Australia, but could potentially leapfrog them with victory in Sydney - though Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou noted wryly that Redknapp’s usual modus operandi, of wholesale personnel changes, would not be an option at national level.

“Maybe it will create more interest in the game but it won’t affect us,” Postecoglou said. “He can’t wheel and deal like he usually does with the national team, unless he comes up with a new way of doing things.

“He’ll have to go with the players he’s got but he’s a professional manager with a lot of experience. If he is here it’ll create more interest, and the happier I’ll be.”

Redknapp’s appointment - which comes in parallel with a short-term role as director of football at Derby County - means he will follow another Englishman, Ray Wilkins, who lead Jordan to the Asian Cup last year but was sacked afterwards.

“I’m friends with Prince Ali and wanted him to take over from Sepp Blatter,” Redknapp told The Sun. “He asked me if I’d manage the team for a couple of matches and I agreed.

“I’ll go to the Forest game (with Derby) and then go straight to London and fly to Jordan. It’s a busy time but I’ve missed the buzz of being involved in football.”