Merson: Pompey will regret Redknapp exit

Former Portsmouth star Paul Merson believes the club will come to regret Harry Redknapp’s departure.

Merson also believes Redknapp would not take the vacant Wolves job because of his reluctance to move away from the south coast.

Redknapp, and his assistant Jim Smith, resigned less than two weeks after the arrival of executive director Velimir Zajec but said the Croat’s appointment had not forced his decision.

And Walsall boss Merson, who enjoyed a successful period at Fratton Park in the twilight of his career, believes chairman Milan Mandaric’s insistence on bringing someone else to the club was wrong.

“I didn’t think anything had to be changed, Harry and Jim have done a phenomenal job,” he told Sky Sports’ Soccer Special programme.

“To change it – it’s not for me to say – but losing a man like Harry, the fans could turn against the chairman, the players could turn the other way. It’s going to be hard to attract players down there now.”

During his time at Pompey, Merson said he was never aware of any friction between Redknapp and Mandaric, who had a very public spat at the end of last season when Mandaric reportedly wanted to sack Smith.

“There was never friction between them, they were as close as I’ve ever seen a chairman and a manager, and Jim as well,” said the former England midfielder, who also believes Redknapp would not be tempted by a move to Wolves even though he is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Dave Jones at Molineux.

“I’ve been talking to him a lot recently, he lives in a lovely part of the world and I can’t see Harry moving. He loves where he lives.”

Straight-talking former Aston Villa manager John Gregory believes Redknapp’s resignation is the result of a power struggle between manager and chairman.

“I believe there was a lot of bickering between him and the chairman and it can only ever go one way. You will often find chairmen never forget those things and they wait until the team has a bad run and they can gain their revenge on the manager.

“As a manager you know there is only ever going to be one winner.

“But Harry can leave now with a lot of dignity after doing a fantastic job with the club. He probably thinks he has taken Portsmouth as far as he can possibly take them without a lot more money,” said Gregory, who confirmed he was interested the Wolves job.