FORMER Cherries star Tony Pulis has overwhelmingly backed calls for Harry Redknapp to be made England manager – insisting his old boss is the “only choice”.

Pulis, now in charge at Premier League outfit Stoke City, played under Redknapp at Dean Court in the late eighties and was part of the 1987 Division Three title-winning squad led by the likeable Londoner.

In an exclusive interview with the Echo, Pulis insisted Sandbanks-based Redknapp had “earned the right” to manage his country and urged the FA to act quickly and approach the 64-year-old.

Pulis said: “The FA are obviously looking for an English manager and I don’t think there is an English manager around who can touch Harry.

“He is at the right age to take it on and has proved he can work with top players and get the best out of them. Most importantly, he knows how to win.

“He has earned the right to manage his country, but Harry is the only one who can decide if he wants it.

“Personally, I think he is nailed on and he is the only choice.

“He is the choice of the people on the street, but also of people in football.

“He has worked hard and climbed up from the lower leagues as a manager to where he is today and he deserves the chance to manage his country.

“It would make him the proudest man in the world.”

Pulis made 72 appearances during a three-year spell in Dorset after being signed by Redknapp from Newport County in 1986.

The Welshman was named Cherries boss in 1992 after Redknapp left Dean Court for West Ham.

Pulis added: “When I first came to Bournemouth, I thought Harry was an excellent coach. He has come away from that side a bit now, but he said and did things that have always stayed with me.

“Harry has the wit and the personality and he romances people because of the way he is.

“You need that as a manager today because you are dealing with superstars who are paid an absolute fortune.

“You also need to have discipline and nobody should ever think that Harry doesn’t have that in his locker.

“I think the FA wants Harry and it will be down to him and whether he feels he needs to finish what he has started at Tottenham or whether he feels he has done his bit and can take the England job.”