Harry Redknapp relives his ‘horrific’ return to Portsmouth after leaving for rivals Southampton
‘We had the SAS and helicopters flying overhead!’: Harry Redknapp reveals his Southampton team were ‘TERRIFIED’ on his first return to former club (and bitter rivals) Portsmouth in 2005…describing their 4-1 draw defeat at Fratton Park as ‘gruesome’
- Redknapp agreed to join Southampton in 2005, weeks after leaving Portsmouth
- He was given personal security to ensure his safety when returning to Fratton Park
- Redknapp described the ordeal as horrifying during a new documentary series
Harry Redknapp has described his return to Portsmouth in 2005 as a ‘gruesome’ experience when he revealed he needed personal safety after controversially becoming manager of arch rivals Southampton.
Redknapp admitted his players were terrified of the occasion in a new documentary titled Fever Pitch! The Battle for the Premier League, exclusive to Paramount+.
He had guided Portsmouth to the Premier League in 2003 before keeping the club in the top flight in their debut season.
His first spell as manager ended acrimoniously when Redknapp resigned after owner Milan appointed Mandaric Velimir Zajec as the club’s director of football.
Redknapp was appointed Southampton manager by chairman Rupert Lowe weeks after his departure, leading to him being branded a ‘Judas’ by Pompey fans.
Harry Redknapp relives his return to Portsmouth as Southampton boss in a new documentary
Redknapp was labeled a Judas by Portsmouth fans after agreeing to manage Southampton
Extra security was required when Southampton faced Portsmouth in April 2005
“We had a great relationship, I loved him [Mandaric]but we were both fickle,” Redknapp said.
“In the end we got into a fight, it festered on a member of my staff that Milan wanted me to switch and he wanted to get a foreign coach, and we got into a fight and I walked out.
“Within a week I got a phone call asking if I wanted to go to Southampton. Why wouldn’t I? I didn’t do anything wrong if I couldn’t work anymore, so I took the job.
“As a football manager, people say, who do you support Harry for? You support whatever team you’re on, that’s your team. I’m going to Southampton and I desperately want Southampton to do well.’
Despite pleas for the fans to remember his pre-game performance at Portsmouth, Redknapp needed personal safety when Southampton visited Fratton Park for the South Coast derby in April 2005.
Redknapp admitted he had underestimated the rivalry between Portsmouth and Southampton, with his move across the gap adding to an already charged atmosphere.
He revealed that the Portsmouth coach needed protection from the SAS on his way to the stadium given the animosity surrounding his return to the club.
“I hadn’t realized how bad the rivalry was. I knew it was intense, but it was more intense than I ever expected,” Redknapp tells the documentary. “Coming back to Portsmouth was nerve wracking to be honest, it wasn’t a fun day at all. I think the players were terrified.
“We have the SAS, we have helicopters flying over the bus. It was pretty horrible.
Redknapp admitted his Southampton players were terrified of the horrific experience
“I think the players were scared before they went on the pitch. It was certainly worse than anything they had ever experienced earlier or later in their careers, I can imagine.”
Redknapp was greeted by a chorus of boos during the game, which saw Portsmouth cruise to victory in the derby.
The Saints lost 4–1 at Fratton Park on Redknapp’s first return to his former club
A penalty from Yakubu in the fourth minute was added by Arjan de Zeeuw and a brace from Lomana LuaLua as Portsmouth took a 4–1 lead after 27 minutes to keep the score at full-time.
The defeat proved another major blow to Redknapp’s attempts to maintain Southampton’s 27-year stay in the Premier League.
Southampton’s battle against relegation is explored in a four-part series on the Premier League produced by Story Films, Studio 99, the production company founded by David Beckham, and All3Media International.
Redknapp later admits he cried in his office after Southampton’s eventual relegation, which was confirmed by a final day defeat to Manchester United.
He later resigned as Southampton manager in December 2005 to return to Portsmouth, where he saved the club from relegation from the top flight before famously leading the club to victory in the FA Cup Final in 2008.
All episodes of FEVER PITCH: THE BATTLE FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE will be available exclusively on May 7, 2023 on Paramount+