Redknapp confident of Pompey return

HARRY REDKNAPP believes he remains the front-runner to be named Portsmouth’s new manager.

The Barclays Premiership strugglers looked to be turning their focus away from Redknapp and onto new targets, including Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez and former Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr, after Southampton turned down a compensation offer.

Redknapp considers it impossible to resume duties at St Mary's after effectively giving up his job as manager on Saturday, in protest at chairman Rupert Lowe's decision to prevent him speaking to Portsmouth about the Fratton Park vacancy.

And he is optimistic Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric may backtrack after ruling Redknapp out of the running to become his club's new manager.

"I'd be surprised," Redknapp said, when asked whether he felt other candidates had now overtaken him.

"I trust Milan not to do that and hopefully something can get sorted out. I'm in limbo a little bit."

Redknapp has been left frustrated after Portsmouth offered £125,000 (€184,000) to buy him out of his Southampton contract including £75,000 (€110,000) to be paid if Barclays Premiership survival is assured and were turned down.

He said: "I wanted to talk to Milan and I just think they've got a problem trying to agree compensation with Southampton. I'd love to talk to Milan still. He's got no problems with me."

Just over a year has passed since Redknapp resigned from Portsmouth, after which he took up the reins at Southampton. He now wants to make the return journey, and claims the Saints' job was one he never considered taking as long-term.

"I never thought I was here for the long haul," he said. "I think I made a big mistake (leaving Portsmouth)."

Southampton were relegated under Redknapp and have failed to enter the promotion picture in the Coca-Cola Championship this season.

A compensation agreement would have to be agreed between the south coast rivals before Redknapp could be appointed at Portsmouth.

However, as for reaching a potential deal for Redknapp with Lowe today, Mandaric said: "He (Lowe) is too busy today hunting the ducks. That's more important to him than the football."

And, when asked if 58-year-old Redknapp was still on the list of potential managers, Mandaric replied: "no."

Mandaric has been given permission to talk to Sanchez, and he has previously expressed interest in former Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr and Rangers manager Alex McLeish.

Neil Warnock counted himself out of the running by committing to Sheffield United, while Crystal Palace turned down an approach for Iain Dowie.

Meanwhile England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has emerged as a surprise bookmakers' favourite for the Real Madrid job.

Juan Ramon Lopez Caro is currently in charge at the Bernabeu, although vice-president Emilio Butragueno has left open the possibility of another change soon if results do not improve.

Real are fourth in La Liga and six points behind leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona, while reaching the Champions League knockout stages did not prevent Wanderley Luxemburgo losing his job as boss.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has been seen as a candidate after spending almost a decade coaching at the club.

However, Benitez said: "I am happy at Liverpool, I am Liverpool's manager and I have a job to do here.

"I have said this in the past and now I have an important game in the Champions league against Chelsea (tomorrow) to think about and that is all that is on my mind."

Eriksson has been installed as the 3/1 favourite with Ladbrokes to be the next permanent manager at Real, although Deportivo La Coruna's Javier Irureta is also gaining interest.

Juventus general director Luciano Moggi has brushed aside reports suggesting Fabio Capello will return to the Bernabeu.

Capello guided the Spanish giants to the Primera Liga title in the 1996-97 campaign but is under contract with the Turin giants until June 2007.

"He (Capello) is really comfortable here and it's impossible that he would want to go elsewhere," said Moggi.