Portsmouth panto fails to woo audience

Matt Hughes|Evening Standard|At Fratton Park

14 April 2012

This high-noon showdown was something of a let down as two trusty old gun-slingers fired nothing but blanks. There was plenty of sweat but precious little blood or tears, just an embarrassing show of unity and pretence at friendship that fooled no one. These two make Tony Blair and Gordon Brown look like bosom buddies.

Milan Mandaric described his relationship with Harry Redknapp as a soap opera but this was more of a farce. Anyone wondering at the real strengths of Redknapp's feelings needed only to look at him. Those famous red cheeks turned an ever darker shade of crimson and his face appeared set in stone, with his expression one of fury.

Having called an impromptu press conference at a football club where he is no longer an employee, rather like Maggie Thatcher dusting off an old frock to deliver the Queen's Speech, Redknapp seemed intent on getting out of there as quickly as possible.

The Portsmouth chairman was happy to oblige, reading from a statement that would not have been necessary had a newspaper interview not caused a storm of controversy over his former manager's dealings. If the point of this faintly ludicrous exercise was to clear Redknapp's name then a by-product was to impugn Mandaric's name. His previous statements have dripped with more innuendo then a Chubby Brown video, but after a Damascan conversion he wished to make himself crystal clear.

The message could not have been more categoric. Redknapp may collect footballers as if they were Pannini soccer stickers, but the self-styled Barrow Boy does not take the proceeds home in a wheelbarrow. Never, never, never, ever to paraphrase another colourful footballing demagogue, Florentino Perez of Real Madrid.

Mandaric said: "Harry was never involved at any time on any transfer or contract negotiations throughout his period at the club.

"At no time did I ever imply there was any wrong doing by Harry in these transactions and I was simply saying that agents take so much out of the game. I want, a long with my fellow Premier League chairman, to reduce their influence in all club finances."

Mandaric gave details of the agents who will enjoy a very merry Christmas on the back of the club's generosity, revealing that Pompey have paid £3.4million to an incredible 31 go-betweens in the last twoanda-half years.

Mandaric admitted that spending more than one quarter of the club's transfer budget on agent fees was an extraordinary way to do business, but Redknapp was not to blame. Oh no.

He said: "Over the past two-and-ahalfyears the football club have currently paid £11.5m on transfer fees, loan fees and appearance payments to clubs for 25 players. We have also brought in 16 free transfers and three short-term loans.

"During this period the club have paid £3.4m to various agents covering-38 players. We've used 31 different-agents and all documentation and payment go through the Football Association."

All of which seem to make Redknapp, if not happy, then at least somewhere short of incandescent. The former West Ham manager had promised to be open and, although there was no sign of his accountant, he insisted there was nothing to hide.

Redknapp said: "I don't deserve the innuendoes. And I needed to clear the air. I've never been so shocked and disgusted in my life because I have done nothing but good for this football club.

"I'm happy with the chairman and as far as I'm concerned it's time to move on.

"I've never paid any money to any special agents. I couldn't even tell you the wages that any player at this club earns, never mind the agent fees.

"I identify the players, make sure they want to play for me and then pass it on to the chairman and chief executive. That's the way we've always operated. When you look at that record of taking a club from the bottom of the First Division to the Premier League on £10m it speaks for itself."

Redknapp will now retire to his Poole Palace before taking up his next challenge, possibly at Wolves, leaving Mandaric the task of keeping Portsmouth in the Premiership.

The Croatian left his former manager with a bear hug insisting they remain firm friends but Redknapp's forced smile told a different tale.

Mandaric said: "It is time to draw a line under the soap opera that surrounds the relationship between Harry and myself. I, along with all my supporters, will be forever grateful to Harry for what he has achieved.

"I wish him every success and it is up to us to build on the platform he has given us. I am sure we will always remain friends and my phone will now be off for any more questions on this subject."

He is unlikely to receive any calls from Redknapp in the near future.

Wheeling and dealing

During Redknapp's reign, Portsmouth paid £11.5m of transfer fees, loan fees and appearances payments for 25 players.
16 players arrived on free transfers and three in short-term loans.
They have further potential liabilities of £3.5m for players based on appearances and the club staying in the top flight.
They have received £5.1m on transfers.
The club have paid £3.4m to agents covering 38 players. They have used 31 agents.

MORE ABOUT

Harry Redknapp

Portsmouth FC

Real Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur

Portsmouth panto fails to woo audience

Read More