Redknapp is a huge admirer of Ferdinand having given the England star his debut while in charge of West Ham. The Spurs chief is keen to bring in leaders to his side and had targeted an ambitious swoop for Ferdinand. However, Redknapp revealed Manchester United rejected his overtures. "I can't ever see us getting Rio now. I was interested. Last year, I tried. I tried at the start of the season," Redknapp told The Observer. "When he was on the teamsheet against Chelsea in the Champions League, I thought Man United had got a much, much better chance of getting a result and it proved that way." Redknapp revealed he has told Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that they need to bring in big names and big characters if they are to consistenly qualify for the Champions League. "I've said many times to the chairman, it's not always about the best players, it's about getting characters in your football club," added Redknapp. "Chelsea have had it over the years, whether it's John Terry or Frank [Lampard], and Man United have had it with [Ryan] Giggs, Ferdinand and [Nemanja] Vidic. "William [Gallas] has come in and given us experience and we've got Michael [Dawson] at the back but in the long term I still feel that you need to find another one or two if you're going to keep progressing, that type of real character, who has opinions and that will to win around the dressing room - a few leaders. You can't have too many at your club. That's why I tried to take Phil Neville from Everton in January." Redknapp is already planning for next season and he is keen to add to his squad in this summer's transfer window. "You've got to add to the squad," continued Redknapp. "The chairman knows ... if we can't move on, then you have to accept trying to get into the Europa League every year and trying to finish sixth or seventh. But if you want to try to make the Champions League, you have to keep improving."
