Mandaric will bring in director of football

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric (pictured) today insisted he will bring a director of football to the club despite manager Harry Redknapp threatening: “If I’m not in control, I’m not here”.

Mandaric attempted to appease Redknapp, who has guided Portsmouth from relegation contenders in division one to an established Premiership side, by insisting the manager would retain as much authority and control as he enjoys today.

But ultimately, Mandaric will do what is best for the club and he is actively seeking the right man from a shortlist of “two or three really good candidates”, some of whom are English.

“It is a conversation that is quite active,” Mandaric told Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“Bringing a director of football and a director on the board responsible for football activities is no change, it is just a great addition to our club.

“I am going to do what is the best for this club, not what is the best for Harry Redknapp or Milan Mandaric.

“I am going to enhance the club. I am going to bring a director of football in one of these days that will be in a relationship with Harry Redknapp.

“He will be in agreement on that one way or another. He knows that. I think he has been misquoted when he says he will walk out if a director of football is there.”

Yet Redknapp appeared very clear what he was saying after yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton had been preceded by reports suggesting Mandaric wants to install Croatian Velimir Zalij as director of football.

“Thursday was a crap day,” said Redknapp.

“I don’t deserve to have to read stories like that. It looks like he is trying to appoint somebody to the board who knows about football and I can’t see why he wants to do that.

“He’s got me and Jim Smith who are football men from way back and can tell him all he wants to know.”

Redknapp was reported to have said: “If I’m not in control, I’m not here.”

But Mandaric dismissed those suggestions.

“I really don’t believe that. Harry is a great guy. He is a very experienced manager. I don’t think Harry will leave at all,” he said.

“He has no reason to leave. Harry will find out we are just enhancing the quality of the club and helping Harry’s job.

“Everyone shouldn’t forget this club for many years was fighting relegation. It was destabilised, in financial instability, on the field and off the field and I am trying to transform this club into a well established club and successful club in the Premiership.

"For that we need more people than we have today.

“Harry will be in control. Nobody will take Harry’s control which he has got now. Harry will be responsible for players.

“I am entering the 21st century of football, not the 19th century when players played for pride and love of the club. Today’s players play for a lot of money and you need real top notch recruiting.

“We are considering several candidates, some from England, some foreign. It is not something we do tomorrow, we just have to get the right person. We have two or three really good candidates.

“I have a good enough relationship with Harry that I can work with him on this one way or another.”