Harry checks in at Pompey
Southampton have finally cleared the way for Harry Redknapp to return to Portsmouth by agreeing a compensation package with their arch rivals.
That was the major obstacle preventing Redknapp going back to the club he left in November 2004, but the 58-year-old has now been unveiled at a press conference.
Saints rejected an initial offer from Portsmouth to speak with Redknapp, with chairman Rupert Lowe calling a £125,000 package "derisory".
That compensation deal included £75,000 in the event of Portsmouth avoiding relegation and was rejected out of hand, leading Mandaric to claim Redknapp was out of the running for the job.
A new financial package has been agreed, paving the way for Redknapp to leave Southampton after 12 months at St Mary's.
He joined Southampton in controversial circumstances, just days after leaving their fiercest rivals, and is sure to cause more disquiet by heading in the opposite direction.
But Lowe is keen to draw a line under the episode, with Redknapp having set his heart on moving back to his old job.
"This saga had got to the stage of being an embarrassment for football as a whole," said Lowe. "Portsmouth have produced a compensation package that is just acceptable to this club and I consider that it is in Southampton's best interests to get on with the future rather than dwell on the past.
"I cannot comment on the quantum of the settlement as both clubs are bound by a confidentiality agreement."
Southampton have spoken with both the Premier League and Football League after losing Redknapp, with Lowe having not disguised his anger at the events.
"We do not believe that this episode has been conducted within the rules of the game and have made our understanding of the last week available to both the Premier League and the Football League," said Lowe.
Director Andrew Cowen underlined the disenchantment at Southampton.
He told the club's website: "Money continued to back Harry for the Pompey job on the betting exchanges.
"Perhaps in the future you should look at what happens there rather than what people say."
Redknapp took Southampton down to the Championship after failing to turn around their season, but they have not started the season in the manner of promotion contenders.
Nonetheless, Cowen believes the club will be able to attract a top-quality new manager to replace Redknapp.
"The Southampton post is very attractive," he said. "We have an excellent first-team squad and one of the best crops of young players in the country; we need to marry these with a top quality man.
"Despite drawing too many games in the season to date, with the way the Championship is bunched, promotion is still not out of the question."
They can now look forward, with Redknapp having walked out of the club on Saturday to leave himself and Southampton in limbo.
Teamtalk.com
