Redknapp gives approval to potential Pompey candidates

Harry Redknapp has insisted he will not replace Andy Awford as Pompey boss.
Harry RedknappHarry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp

But the 68-year-old has given the rubber-stamp of approval to Martin Allen and Phil Brown.

As revealed by portsmouth.co.uk yesterday, the ex-QPR boss has declared himself out of the running for the position vacated by Awford.

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Redknapp has been the bookies’ favourite for what would have been a third stint in the job.

He racked up 243 matches as Blues boss over two previous spells before controversially quitting to join Spurs in October 2008.

During those spells he achieved promotion to the Premier League, FA Cup success and led the club into European competition for the first time in their history.

But Redknapp is presently not considering a return to Fratton Park.

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He told The News: ‘I still follow Portsmouth and want to see them do well – it’s amazing what crowds they get, but it is not something for me at the moment.

‘I wish them all the best, that’s for sure, it is a great club and we had fantastic times together.

‘It felt like we were going to Wembley every week, the football was amazing, it was the happiest time I had in management anywhere, great memories.

‘I’m trying to persuade Milan to go back in at Portsmouth, I’d like him to be involved again.

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‘At the moment I am not sure what I am going to do next. If there was something I really wanted to do then I would do it. It would have to be something which I fancied and interested me.

‘I had a fantastic offer to go abroad to the middle east a couple of days ago, but I wouldn’t be taking a job anywhere at the moment. I’m just going to wait until the end of the season.

‘The level I could come back at depends, it’s hard to say at the moment. I am just enjoying the break, I will wait until the summer and see what comes up.’

Southend boss Brown has emerged as an early contender and is understood to be interested in a job he has previously applied for.

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Meanwhile, Allen has taken Barnet to the top of the Vanarama Conference and both snugly fit chairman Iain McInnes’ blueprint for the next Pompey boss.

Redknapp added: ‘Martin Allen has done a fantastic job at Barnet, but would he leave there?

‘You would hope so, Portsmouth is a massive club and he is definitely someone who can get a team promoted.

‘Phil Brown is a good lad, very enthusiastic, and he’s another one you could look at.

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‘I feel for Andy (Awford), though, he is a good man and I’m sorry it has ended like this. I am sure he gave it everything he had.

‘I know there’s talk of a different role for him but when you have been manager of a club, going back to do something else is difficult.’