Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp: 'nightmare is over'

Harry Redknapp and Milan Mandaric have been cleared of all charges of tax evasion.

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court found the men not guilty afterdeliberating for two days.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Redknapp had denied accepting secret untaxed bonus payments from his former boss Milan Mandaric.

He said: "It's been a nightmare, it's been five years, it's a case that should never have come to court. I'm looking forward to going home and getting on with my life"

Mandaric, chairman of Portsmouth when Redknapp was manager, was cleared of two charges. He had been accused of cheating the Inland Revenue over the £189,000 payments made to Redknapp's off-shore account.

The five-year police investigation, which is believed to have cost £8 million, has failed to yield any conviction.

The Londoner has been tipped as a front runner to replace Fabio Capello as the next England manager.