Harry Redknapp has talked about the harsh response he got from Portsmouth supporters when he took over at Southampton.

The 79-year-old served as Pompey’s director of football before taking over as manager for the first time in March 2002.

He collaborated with owner Milan Mandaric, but he finally resigned from the position due to a falling out with the Serbian tycoon.

Redknapp moved quickly to Southampton, fierce rivals, and took over as manager a few weeks later.

Although this did not sit well with Fratton Park supporters, the English coach continued to lead St. Mary’s until December 2005.

However, he eventually returned to Pompey right away from the Saints, and after surviving relegation in his first year back, he went on to win the FA Cup with the team in 2008.

Harry Redknapp discusses Portsmouth’s response to the unexpected Southampton appointment in 2005.

When Redknapp first took over as Portsmouth’s manager, he disclosed that a number of supporters would gather at a T-junction outside the Southampton training facility.

During this time, they called him Judas, among other names. He was relieved when the road construction in the region was over.

Redknapp stated, “I walk in Monday morning, [Mandaric] is there,” according to OLBG on YouTube.

“So, Milan and I got into a major argument again, and he wanted Jim to go.

In any case, I left.

“I received a call within two days stating that [chairman] Rupert [Lowe] wanted to speak with me, so I went down.

“I thought, ‘Well, I haven’t done anything wrong, I live down here, Southampton was a terrific club,’ and I accepted it.

When I showed up for training on the first day at the training site, I recognised what I had done, and it was a turning point.

When I arrived at a small T-junction, I saw ten or so Pompey boys excavating the road.

“And they called me everything and wrote up Judas.”

They were there every day for around three weeks, and they were waiting for me that morning.

“I used to have to halt just where the training ground was because there was no other option.

“They would start on me every day.” It was a difficult period.

Harry Redknapp’s time at Southampton and his return to Portsmouth

Redknapp guided Southampton to a 20th-place Premier League finish and relegation during his brief tenure as manager, leaving after 51 weeks.

Before returning to Fratton Park in December 2005, the 79-year-old managed 49 games and saw 13 victories.

He eventually managed to turn things around and guide the team to a 17th place finish, even though Pompey were in danger of being demoted to the Championship themselves.

Before Redknapp moved to Tottenham Hotspur in October 2008, Portsmouth won the FA Cup and placed ninth and eighth in the subsequent seasons.

With Tonda Eckert and John Mousinho sparring earlier this month, the two Hampshire rivals are now again battling at the same level.

The Saints won the first half of 2026–2027 with a 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals.

In 2004, Harry Redknapp committed a cardinal sin against Portsmouth.

Although Redknapp was well-liked by Portsmouth supporters during his initial tenure, he shouldn’t have been shocked when they turned against him once he joined Southampton.

Being fierce rivals, the two clubs do not take it lightly when someone crosses the line.

When Redknapp returned a year later, he was able to win back the supporters and keep the team in the Premier League.

He will always be regarded favourably for his achievements at Fratton Park because the FA Cup victory was his greatest managerial accomplishment.