Redknapp set for Southampton in twist to south coast rivalry

Harry Redknapp was yesterday involved in talks to become the new manager of Southampton. An announcement could be made as early as this morning and comes less than two weeks after he walked out on their south coast rivals, Portsmouth, saying he wanted to take a break from football.

The news will, no doubt, shock the fans of both clubs - and stretch their rivalry even further - but will be no surprise to the Southampton head coach, Steve Wigley, who has recorded just one win in 14 Premiership matches. Wigley was to be offered the job of youth team coach after Southampton's youngsters had played last night, but whether he was likely to accept was not clear. The change amounts to another high-risk strategy from the Southampton chairman, Rupert Lowe, who had initially intended to replace Wigley with Glenn Hoddle.

However, Hoddle was yesterday appointed as the manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers after he grew impatient when he was told that Redknapp had also been approached to discuss the post. Ironically, Redknapp, who lives in Dorset, had been a target for Wolves but is keen to stay on the south coast or move to a London club. Redknapp was at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium yesterday - but only for a charity function. He did not confirm or deny that he had been approached to replace Wigley.

Redknapp would become Southampton's fourth manager inside a year and had been first interviewed for the job back in 2001 before he joined Portsmouth. It was Stuart Gray who was appointed at that time - and he is now Hoddle's assistant at Wolves.

The chemistry between Redknapp and Lowe will be crucial. Lowe is the kind of interventionist chairman that Redknapp is thought to dislike. It was the souring of his relationship with Portsmouth's Milan Mandaric which led to his departure from Fratton Park. Redknapp had initially indicated to Portsmouth fans that he would not join Southampton. But he may believe that following Mandaric's complaint over the amount of money the club had paid out to agents - which provoked an angry response from Redknapp and a hastily convened press conference - that he is now free to do as he pleases. Redknapp is also understood not to have agreed any "gardening leave" or settlement as part of his departure from Portsmouth.

The 57-year-old is likely to take his Portsmouth assistant, Jim Smith, with him to St Mary's. Smith, 64, is keen to remain in football and has talked about applying for management jobs but would prefer to remain alongside Redknapp whose remit will be clear - to keep Southampton in the Premiership. Money will be made available in the transfer window and funds are likely to be bolstered by the sale of the striker James Beattie. However, Redknapp will not be allowed to carry out his usual wholesale wheeling and dealing.

A further irony is that Mandaric had used Southampton as his role model. He is envious of their stadium and also the academy and youth set-up, which he has visited and hopes to copy. It is claimed that Redknapp has shown little interest in such things, and that this was a source of friction with Mandaric.Possibly Wigley will return to his former role in charge of the academy. He has it written into his contract that he is to be offered an alternative post should he be relieved of his duties as head coach.

Wigley had been set a target of nine points from five games by Lowe. He fell short by three points, but Lowe waited until after Southampton played Manchester United away last weekend before making his move. With the club remaining in the bottom three he feels he has given Wigley enough time.

Lowe had struggled to gain the support of the rest of the Southampton board to appoint Hoddle but believed, with the team struggling, he had won them round. Redknapp's appointment is likely to be welcomed by Southampton's fans and his first game in charge will be at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday. However, it is the fixture away to Portsmouth on 24 April that will now be most keenly anticipated.