Redknapp Was Keeping Seat Warm

Harry Redknapp has said his position at Southampton became 'impossible' after he told Rupert Lowe that he wanted permission to talk to Portsmouth.

He told the BBC 'I felt once I told Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe I wanted to speak to Portsmouth I had burned my bridges at Southampton. Once I've said that I can't go back there. It was impossible to go back. Their people wouldn't want me back at the club. I understand that.'

He also disagrees with Rupert Lowe who said he 'believed Harry to be here for the long-term.' Redknapp said 'I felt, to be honest, that I was only keeping the hotseat warm for somebody else. I had no future there and I would have liked the opportunity to speak to Portsmouth.'

Someone else? Couldn't be talking about Sir Clive Woodward could he? Reports suggest Woodward will now want the vacant managers spot at St Marys.

Redknapp also knows he is now in a precarious position: 'If they can't do a deal with Portsmouth then I'm left in limbo and I will have to accept that.'

He left Pompey after falling out with Mandaric, but he says that can be resolved:

'We had a fall-out but I had a fantastic time there. It was the time of my life. Milan has shown a lot of courage to try to get me back there - but whether it comes off is another matter.'

Time will tell.