Redknapp has no retirement plans

HARRY REDKNAPP believes he can challenge Alex Ferguson for the title of the Barclays Premier League’s ‘godfather’.

The Portsmouth manager, 60, has just signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal to stay at Fratton Park until 2011.

And Redknapp insisted: “I’m certainly not going to say this is my last contract. Why should I? “When I finish this one I’ll still be two years younger than Alex is now. And I’ll still look younger than him.

“Why should I call it a day? I love being manager here. So does Fergie at United and he’ll stay there as long as he wants because they always win.

“It took me about a minute and a half to agree to the terms of the new contract.”

Redknapp is set to cross swords again with Mark Hughes, the Blackburn manager who is being touted as Ferguson’s Manchester United successor.

The teams clash in the Carling Cup tonight at Fratton Park with a place in the last eight at stake, and Redknapp said: “Mark has done a terrific job at Rovers.

“They have got skill and goal power as well as strength and it is going to be a tough test for us, but I am going to field my best available side because at this stage even though the top teams are still in it, they often make changes in the cup.”

Meanwhile Blackburn were yesterday facing up to the prospect of being without key midfielder Robbie Savage until the middle of December.

The firebrand Welshman has undergone knee surgery and manager Mark Hughes confirmed he faces between five and six weeks on the sidelines.

It was not the news Hughes was hoping to hear ahead of tonight’s trip to Fratton Park.

“It’s a blow, obviously,” the Rovers boss said.

“He was playing well, part of a winning team and he’s going to be out for a significant period.”