Here, in his own words, is Redknapp's goodbye to Pompey.

'I think walking away from Portsmouth has to be the hardest thing I've ever done.

'It was unbelievably hard to decide to move. I haven't really slept since I did.

'It was a difficult decision. On Saturday night I said I definitely wasn't going to go.

'I didn't want to leave. I love it here and I enjoy the life here.
These are nice people and this is a great city.

'These fans are working class people like me and are fanatical about their football club.

'It's like anything in life, though. If I didn't go I would always get people saying I had no ambition like they said when I turned down Newcastle.

'They would say I was quite happy to sit down on the south coast, lay around and enjoy my money.

'In the end, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.
'This time Tottenham came. So Newcastle have come and so have Tottenham.
'After the big four they are the next two big clubs.

'I couldn't turn down Spurs because it was too big a chance for me.
'It's not a money issue. I'm on no more money than I was here.

'I've taken it on for the challenge. I take on challenges and this is a big challenge again.

'I've taken over a team at the bottom of the league. If I get relegated 'I will be finished in football. That will be the end for me.
'But I've taken the challenge on.

'I leave knowing the club are in the best shape they have ever been left in and have great players.

'I was proud to receive the freedom of the city.
'It was in recognition of what I have achieved here, so I was happy to come back and go away delighted.

'I've loved it here. I love the supporters and I love the club.
'People were telling me I should've packed it in at the end of last season after I won the FA Cup.

'I spoke to people and they were saying I've taken the club as far as I can and there was no more I could do.

'But then people were saying I had a great life here.
'I didn't want to be here if things ever went wrong.

'I took the club from where it was and it's been a great relationship.
'I didn't want to walk away if things went wrong eventually.

'I don't fear that will happen, but I knew I couldn't go any further. How long do I keep going for?

'I had a good run and I've had a terrific offer.
'I spoke to Peter Storrie and he thought it was a good move for me.
'I'm going to miss everything – the players, the crowd and going to that stadium.

'I'm going to miss Kevin the kitman – everyone has been great. I've had a terrific time here.

'Spurs is a massive club, probably miles more impersonal.

'The training ground is massive and I'll probably be there three years and not get to know everyone.

'Portsmouth wasn't like that – it's a tight-knit club, I knew everyone and it was different.

'It's a working-class city and the fans are fanatical about their football, so it's not easy to leave.

'It's not easy to walk away, but the club, the players and Sacha understand what I did.

'It's an opportunity to manage a big club at the end of my career.

'I'm not saying it's a better club than Portsmouth, but it is a club with it all there. It's big time really.

'I will never look at Pompey's results and hope they lose.
I don't leave here with any ill feeling at all.

'I was choked when I saw Fulham had equalised late in the game on Sunday.
'I will always want the club to be successful because there are good people here.

'It's not been easy to leave, believe me. I hope people appreciate the fantastic times we've had.

'It's been six of the best years ever. We've always done our best and it's been an amazing, amazing journey.

'I've loved every minute of it.'


Also see: Tearful Redknapp's Pompey goodbye - Burton's Banter - click here to read the latest post

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