Redknapp: I wasn’t pushed out of Pompey

HARRY REDKNAPP yesterday claimed he had jumped and not been “pushed” out of Portsmouth following a stormy relationship with owner Milan Mandaric.

The 57-year-old reflected on the legacy he left Portsmouth after resigning - then admitted he was not done with football just yet.

“I had been thinking about it for a while, even at the start of the season,” said Redknapp.

“I just wanted a break, I really do. I have left the club in good shape - we are halfway up the table with a terrific squad of players.

“It was just something which had been coming for a while - no-one has pushed me out. This is my decision 110%.

“This is nothing to do with mutual consent. This not a decision from the chairman or anyone else. This is my decision. I decided this is what I want to do.”

Redknapp’s position had become increasingly uncomfortable over recent months as the relationship with owner-chairman Mandaric deteriorated.

The pair claimed to have settled their differences, and Redknapp was named manager of the month for October following an unbeaten run which saw them defeat Manchester United 2-0 at Fratton Park as Pompey moved into the top half of the Premiership. However, they clashed again following a dip in form and Mandaric’s decision to bring in Panathinaikos’ director of football Velimir Zajec.

Redknapp admitted he was frustrated by the manner in which Zajec had arrived at the club as executive director.

“I was disappointed with the way that was all handled,” reflected Redknapp.

“I pick up a newspaper and see I had just got manager of the month, then suddenly I am down the pan. But that was not the reason at all. It was something which had been coming. I just felt it would be nice to walk away from the football club while it is in great shape on the field.”

He added: “I want to go on and do other things in my life. I want to spend a little more time with my family, my wife. Who knows, I may come back into football, I may not. I just want a break, a few days away to decide what I want to do.”

“I am walking away from big a contract, but no-one has pushed me. The chairman has asked me to stay and wants me to stay, but it is my decision. The club has a new stadium coming and the game goes on. I have put them in a position, now somebody else can go on and take it on from here.”

Assistant manager Jim Smith has also resigned and Zajec will oversee the first team for the match at Bolton on Saturday while the search for a new manager begins.