Redknapp’s ‘conscience clear’ as he plans Pompey raid

HARRY REDKNAPP maintained his conscience was clear yesterday following his decision to join Southampton just two weeks after leaving south-coast rivals Portsmouth.

And he admitted he would not be above raiding his former club to bring coach Kevin Bond to St Mary’s.

The 57-year-old takes over from Steve Wigley, who managed just one win in 14 league matches, and inherits a side third from bottom in the Premiership.

The former West Ham boss, though, believes he has to have the tools to resurrect the Saints ailing fortunes.

And he feels Bond - temporarily helping Pompey’s executive director Velimir Zajec along with fellow coach Joe Jordan at Fratton Park - would relish the chance to link up with him.

“If we can arrange something, I am sure we will try. He is a terrific coach, fully qualified and did a great job for me at Portsmouth.

“I don’t see it as an act of betrayal. I think you have only got to look at the job I did there,” insisted Redknapp.

“It was sad when it all ended, it was sad for me at the time.”

Redknapp added: “I took over a team who were fourth from bottom, and decided there were only three of them that had any chance of playing [in the top division].

“I had to get 16 or 18 players in, like Arjan de Zeeuw - on a free transfer from Wigan, who is now the captain and playing in the Premier League - Steve Stone, Shaka Hislop and others. I had to build and put a new team together.

“I didn’t deserve what happened to me at the end but I have moved on.

“I left Pompey halfway up the Premiership table and circumstances at the club had changed. I had two weeks at home, felt myself getting bitter and twisted, had a very uncomfortable couple of weeks and I got this offer and jumped at it.

“If the people at Portsmouth look at it realistically they should be thankful for the job I’ve done and I’m thankful for their support, but it’s in the past.”

Given the timing of Redknapp’s appointment, there were claims from Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric that a deal had been brokered while he was still at Fratton Park - something strenuously denied by the new Saints boss and his chairman.

“If I pick up the phone to anyone, it is all over the place in less than 12 hours,” said Lowe, who revealed agent Dennis Roach had been involved in bringing the parties together and also confirmed he would call Mandaric once the Pompey owner returns from abroad.

While maintaining he would not need to radically overhaul his new squad, Redknapp - who has signed an 18-month deal and becomes the sixth Saints manager in the space of four years - admitted he would need some extra input ahead of Saturday’s home Premiership clash with Middlesbrough.

“My job now is to make sure we stay in the Premier League, that is what I have got to try to do.”