‘We had the SAS and helicopters flying above!’: Harry Redknapp reveals his Southampton group had been ‘TERRIFIED’ on his first return to former membership (and bitter rivals) Portsmouth in 2005… describing their 4-1 defeat at Fratton Park as ‘horrific’
- Redknapp agreed to affix Southampton in 2005 weeks after leaving Portsmouth
- He was given private safety to make sure his security when return to Fratton Park
- Redknapp’s described the ordeal as horrific throughout a brand new documentary sequence
Harry Redknapp has described his return to Portsmouth in 2005 as a ‘horrific’ expertise as he revealed he wanted private safety after he controversially turned supervisor of arch-rivals Southampton.
Redknapp admitted his gamers had been terrified by the event in a brand new documentary entitled Fever Pitch! The Battle for the Premier League, which will likely be proven solely on Paramount+.
He had led Portsmouth to promotion to the Premier League in 2003, earlier than protecting the membership within the high flight of their debut season.
His first spell as supervisor led to acrimonious vogue with Redknapp having resigned after proprietor Milan Mandaric appointed Velimir Zajec because the membership’s director of soccer.
Redknapp was appointed as Southampton supervisor by chairman Rupert Lowe weeks after leaving, resulting in him being labelled a ‘Judas’ by Pompey followers.
Harry Redknapp relived his return to Portsmouth as Southampton boss in a brand new documentary
![Redknapp was labelled a Judas by Portsmouth fans after agreeing to manage Southampton](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/30/17/70407143-12025853-Redknapp_was_labelled_a_Judas_by_Portsmouth_fans_after_agreeing_-a-38_1682871600362.jpg)
Redknapp was labelled a Judas by Portsmouth followers after agreeing to handle Southampton
![Additional security was required for when Southampton faced Portsmouth in April 2005](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/04/10/70567677-12025853-image-a-11_1683191380989.jpg)
Further safety was required for when Southampton confronted Portsmouth in April 2005
‘We had an incredible relationship, I cherished him [Mandaric], however we had been each unstable,’ Redknapp stated.
‘Finally we had a bust-up, factor had been festering over a member of my employees that Milan needed me to vary and he needed to convey a overseas coach in, and we had a fall-out and I walked out.
‘Inside every week I obtained a phonecall asking me if I’d go to Southampton. Why should not I? I’ve finished nothing mistaken, ought to I not work once more, so I took the job.
‘As a soccer supervisor individuals say, who do you help Harry? You help no matter group you’re at, that’s your group. I’m going to Southampton and I’m determined for Southampton to do effectively.’
Regardless of pleas for the followers to recollect his achievements at Portsmouth previous to the match, Redknapp required private safety when Southampton visited Fratton Park in April 2005 for the South Coast derby.
Redknapp admitted he had underestimated the rivalry between Portsmouth and Southampton, together with his transfer throughout the divide including to an already charged environment.
He revealed the Portsmouth coach had required safety from the SAS on path to the stadium, given the hostility surrounding his return to the membership.
‘I hadn’t realised how unhealthy the rivalry was. I knew it was fierce, however it was fiercer than I ever anticipated,’ Redknapp tells the documentary. ‘Going again to Portsmouth it was nerve wracking to be truthful, it wasn’t an pleasurable day in any respect. I believe the gamers had been terrified.
‘We obtained the SAS, we have got helicopters flying above following the coach. It was fairly horrific.
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Redknapp admitted his Southampton gamers had been terrified by the horrific expertise
‘I believe the gamers earlier than they even went on the pitch had been scared. It was actually worse than something that they had ever skilled earlier than or after of their careers, I’d think about.’
Redknapp was greeted by a refrain of boos on the match, which noticed Portsmouth cruise to a victory within the derby.
![The Saints lost 4-1 at Fratton Park on Redknapp's first return to his former club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/04/10/70567691-12025853-image-a-13_1683191418893.jpg)
The Saints misplaced 4-1 at Fratton Park on Redknapp’s first return to his former membership
A fourth-minute penalty from Yakubu was added to by Arjan de Zeeuw and a brace from Lomana LuaLua as Portsmouth took a 4-1 lead after 27 minutes, which remained the rating at full-time.
The defeat proved one other main blow in Redknapp’s efforts to protect Southampton’s 27-year keep within the Premier League.
Southampton’s combat in opposition to relegation is explored in a four-part sequence on the Premier League produced by Story Movies, Studio 99, the manufacturing firm based by David Beckham, and All3Media Worldwide.
Redknapp later admits he cried in his workplace following Southampton’s eventual relegation, which was confirmed by a ultimate day defeat to Manchester United.
He later resigned as Southampton supervisor in December 2005 to return to Portsmouth, the place he saved the membership from relegation from the highest flight earlier than famously guiding the membership to victory within the FA Cup ultimate in 2008.
All episodes of FEVER PITCH: THE BATTLE FOR THE PREMIER LEAGUE can be found from seventh Could 2023 solely on Paramount+