Pompey saga rumbles on
Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric is approaching crunch time in his efforts to recruit a new manager.
The problem he must now consider is whether to meet Southampton’s compensation demands for Harry Redknapp or begin the process of interviewing new candidates for the job.
Redknapp has become the front-runner since last week, when his relationship with Southampton deteriorated to almost the point of divorce, but Saints chairman Rupert Lowe is asking for more than the £50,000 (€73,900) – plus £75,000 (€110,900) if Portsmouth beat the drop – which has been offered by Mandaric.
The clubs must reach agreement on compensation before talks can begin, and although Redknapp believes he is the front-runner, that is a theory being tested by the frosty relationship between the two chairmen.
The Barclays Premiership strugglers could now turn to Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez, Rangers’ under-fire Alex McLeish or former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr, who have all entered the equation.
There was only deadlock yesterday on the south coast, with Mandaric saying of Lowe: “He (Lowe) is too busy today hunting the ducks. That’s more important to him than the football.”
But Portsmouth are keen to have a new boss installed before next Monday’s trip to Tottenham, and, when asked on Sky Sports News if the 58-year-old Redknapp was still on the list of potential managers, Mandaric replied: “No”.
