On this day: Redknapp handed bumper pay rise by Portsmouth

On this day in 2007, Harry Redknapp was handed a bumper £700,000 pay rise to establish Pompey as a European force.
Harry Redknapp, left, with Sacha Gaydamak Picture: Malcolm WellsHarry Redknapp, left, with Sacha Gaydamak Picture: Malcolm Wells
Harry Redknapp, left, with Sacha Gaydamak Picture: Malcolm Wells

That's his reward for penning a new three-and-a-half year contract which was meant to keep him at Fratton Park until 2011.

And at the times fans were in unison he was worth every penny.

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Redknapp signed an extension to take his annual earnings up to a reported £2m.

Harry Redknapp, left, with Sacha Gaydamak Picture: Malcolm WellsHarry Redknapp, left, with Sacha Gaydamak Picture: Malcolm Wells
Harry Redknapp, left, with Sacha Gaydamak Picture: Malcolm Wells

The move was in recognition of another tremendous season for the Blues as they continued to shake the Premier League.

Owner Sacha Gaydamak was targeting a glorious Pompey future at a new home at Horsea Island and a training ground complex in Titchfield.

And he wanted Redknapp to be part of that vision.

The Blues boss himself admitted it would be his last job in football and was only too eager to tie himself to the club even longer.

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Speaking to the News back in 2007, Kevin Ryan, secretary of Portsmouth Supporters' Club, central branch, said: '˜Harry's done a superb job, no doubt about that.

'˜The club have progressed pretty quickly under him and some of his signings have been fantastic.

'˜If he's got a rise like that then I say fair play. He deserves it.

'˜Congratulations to Peter Storrie and Sacha Gaydamak for tying him down. It's an amazing turnaround for Harry, seeing as many fans were against him coming back from Southampton.

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'˜Now I'd like to see our backroom staff being tied to similar contracts. As well as having our best team for years, we also have the best set-up, too.

'˜Tony Adams is one I'd especially like to see stay. Who knows, maybe he can be Harry's successor?'

Basher Benfield added: '˜I respect Harry as a manager, he's done a great job for this football club.

'˜I don't think anyone is worth the kind of money being talking about but that's the going rate and you have to accept that.

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'˜At least it keeps Harry at the club and now he can carry on building and progressing.

'˜I just hope he can take us on to the next level and give us European football.'

Redknapp's new contract catapulted him into the top bracket of earners among Premier League managers.

But Pompey declined to comment on the figures been talked about.

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Director of communications Gary Double said: '˜We could not possibly comment on how much Harry Redknapp's new contract is worth.

'˜This is a personal matter.

'˜All that matters is that Sacha sees Harry as an integral part of this football club and these are exciting times.'