Redknapp set to stay with Pompey

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has opted to stay at Fratton Park after rejecting advances from Newcastle to become their new boss, according to reports.

The 60-year-old had been the favourite to take over from Sam Allardyce and Sky Sports News claim he held talks with the Tyneside club last night.

However, after considering the move overnight, Redknapp arrived at Pompey’s Eastleigh training ground this morning – the team are due to depart for the north-east to play Sunderland tomorrow – and told reporters he was staying with the club.

Speculation had suggested Newcastle were ready to offer Redknapp a four-year deal worth £20m to take over and it was widely believed the former West Ham boss would accept.

Even Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie, who drove the manager away from the media circus which had gathered outside the club’s training ground yesterday, admitted they would not stand in the way should Redknapp want to go.

“Harry is our manager and Harry is the way we see things going forward here. If Harry comes to us and says he really, really wants to leave Portsmouth Football Club then that is a different scenario,” he said yesterday.