Harry Redknapp made a similar switch much quicker, albeit in the opposite direction, when he quit Portsmouth last month and subsequently defected to Southampton.

But it was not for Strachan, who told BBC’s Match of the Day 2: “I think it’s a fantastic job for anybody apart from somebody who has just been the Southampton manager.

“It’s got everything going for it but I’ve got too many memories of the other side and I don’t want to sour those memories.

“Everything’s right – it’s 10 minutes (away), there are good players there, a good set-up, a good atmosphere at the ground, there’s lots to do but it’s not right for somebody who has just been the Southampton manager.”

So Portsmouth’s search for the “young, ambitious and energetic” manager who chairman Milan Mandaric craves begins anew today.

Portsmouth director Terry Brady told the club’s official website www.pompeyfc.co.uk: “I had a cup of coffee with Gordon in London last week to discuss the matter.

“Gordon has come to the conclusion at this part of his career that the timing is not right and he can’t force himself to make the move from Southampton to Pompey so soon after leaving St Mary’s.

“Therefore negotiations will not be concluded but Gordon nevertheless thinks this is a fantastic club with a wonderful atmosphere and he has the greatest respect for both.

“Furthermore he thanks the club for the constructive discussions and he wishes Portsmouth Football Club well in the future.”

Executive director Velimir Zajec is sure to be installed as the bookmakers’ favourite.

Mandaric clearly rates Zajec, the man whose appointment was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” as far as Redknapp was concerned – at least according to Redknapp’s Pompey assistant Jim Smith.

However, Mandaric has hinted he wants the former Yugoslavia captain to look after player recruitment and is looking to bring in a younger man purely to coach and develop the players.

Mandaric added: “I want someone happier out there coaching the players rather than worrying about money. Someone who will help our young players like Gary O’Neil and Matthew Taylor develop.

“There is no better example of that than David Moyes at Everton, so the ideal situation would be to find another one like him.”

Zajec and Joe Jordan have been looking after first-team affairs since Redknapp’s departure and until yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal had won two and drawn two in the Barclays Premiership.

Jordan has ruled himself out of the running though by saying: “I just want to be part of the coaching set-up whenever a new structure is put in place. I am not applying for the (manager’s) job.”