Harry and Jim reunited

Jim Smith has linked up with Harry Redknapp again after the former Portsmouth assistant manager joined Southampton.

Redknapp and Smith, heralded as ‘Harry and Jim’ by Pompey fans during their time at Fratton Park, guided Saints’ south coast rivals into the Premiership two seasons ago.

They stabilised the club in the top flight but then quit after chairman Milan Mandaric brought in executive director Velimir Zajec, who was yesterday appointed Portsmouth manager.

Smith, 64, held talks with Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe yesterday and his appointment was rubber-stamped late in the afternoon at a board meeting.

Redknapp told www.saintsfc.co.uk: “Jim is a good man to have around. He is down to earth and has a bit of life about him and we need that right now.”

Saints’ new first-team coach Kevin Bond also followed Redknapp from Portsmouth.