Mandaric and Redknapp clear the air

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric and former manager Harry Redknapp (pictured) insisted that they had parted company on good terms with both men rejecting suggestions a scandal could lurk behind the manager's departure.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric and former manager Harry Redknapp insisted that they had parted company on good terms with both men rejecting suggestions a scandal could lurk behind the manager's departure.

Redknapp quit Pompey last week in the wake of Mandaric's appointment of Velimir Zajec as an executive director with control of the club's transfer policy.

But he made a return to the club on Tuesday to clarify comments attributed to Mandaric regarding the three million pounds paid to agents during his two-and-a-half-year reign.

Press reports suggested the chairman was insinuating that Redknapp's dealings had been dubious in some way, an interpretation denied by both men.

"I felt it was important to clear up what had been going on," Redknapp said.

"I saw that headline and I've never been so shocked and disgusted in my life. I've done nothing but good for the club."

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

"And at no time did I ever imply that there was any wrong doing by Harry Redknapp in these transactions and I was simply saying that agents take so much out of the game.

"I want, along with all my fellow Premier League chairmen, to reduce their influence in all club finances."

Redknapp, along with assistant manager Jim Smith, led Pompey to the First Division title two seasons ago and stabilised them in the Premiership.

Mandaric added: "It is time to draw a line over the soap opera that surrounds the relationship between Harry Redknapp and myself. He has done a marvellous job in carrying this club from the lower regions of the old Division One to mid-table in the Premier League.

"To achieve what Harry has been able to achieve in moving our club to the position we are today as a Premier League club at a net cost of 10 million pounds is a phenomenal record in the football world."

Redknapp, who reiterated that his resignation was "one million per cent" his own decision, said he has not yet been contacted by any other club with a view to returning to management, but believes his record makes him an attractive proposition, particularly to chairmen of Championship clubs looking to move up to the top flight.

"Have I spoken to other clubs? None at all, I haven't spoken to other football clubs. I haven't gone down that road. If I rang any chairman up in the First Division and said 'look, for 10 million I can get you out of the First Division and keep you in the Premiership for two years' I think I would have a few offers."