Redknapp: I'm not a traitor

Harry Redknapp today took charge of Southampton just two weeks after quitting Portsmouth and claimed it was not an act of betrayal.

In a move which has sparked a fresh storm of controversy on the south coast, Redknapp has signed an 18-month contract with Southampton, replacing Steve Wigley who today left the club.

Redknapp said: "I do not see this as an act of betrayal. I took Portsmouth from fourth bottom in the First Division to a mid-table Premiership side. I gave the fans some of the best times they have had. I walk away with my head held high.

"I decided to move on. A new director of football came in and it was not a situation that suited me. Southampton was too good a chance to turn down.

"If the people of Portsmouth look at it realistically, they should be thankful for the job I did. You do not get the opportunity to manage a club such as this every day so I took it."

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric said he was disappointed at his former manager's decision and hinted that negotiations between Redknapp and Southampton had been going on for some time.

"I am surprised and a little shocked the chairman of Southampton has not phoned and kept me informed," said Mandaric today.

"We have engineered good links with Southampton since we have started meeting each other again on a regular basis and I would have thought that counted for something."

But Redknapp added in a bitter outburst: "Don't believe everything Mandaric says." Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe said: "There have been accusations that Harry's appointment was agreed before his departure from Portsmouth two weeks ago.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. We first discussed his appointment two days ago."

At the time of his resignation Redknapp said: "I will not go down the road - no chance." He also claimed he needed a break from the game.

Redknapp's relationship with Lowe is set to become one of the most unlikely partnerships in football. He looks set to take Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan with him to Southampton as his coaching staff.