HARRY REDKNAPP, the Southampton manager, confirmed last night that Sir Clive Woodward, the Lions rugby union head coach, would be joining the Coca-Cola Championship club for the start of next season. Yet Redknapp left Woodward — and Rupert Lowe, the Southampton chairman — in no doubt that he would walk away from St Mary’s Stadium if he felt that Woodward was interfering in team affairs.
Lowe has kept silent since it was revealed last weekend that Woodward would switch sports when the Lions tour of New Zealand finishes with the third international against the All Blacks in Auckland on July 9. Woodward is expected to take a role as director of football at a club with one of the most successful youth set-ups in the country.
Redknapp, angered by the constant speculation and what he views as a possible undermining of his position, not only broke ranks last night but timed his comments for maximum impact. With the Lions playing the first international against the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday, Woodward will not be pleased at having to respond to Redknapp’s barbs during the tense build-up to the international.
“I know what is going on,” Redknapp said. “It is pretty much public knowledge that Clive is going to join us. I have met him and got on well with him and he wants to come and learn the game. He has a lot to offer in terms of organisation and on the medical and fitness side. I don’t think that you should ever close your mind to what people have to offer.
“Look at José Mourinho at Chelsea. He was not a great player but he has done a fantastic job. I am sure Clive will have an awful lot to offer but, when it comes to picking the team and the players, that is my job. If anyone ever interferes with that, then that is the end of me, for sure.”
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Redknapp will be experiencing an eerie sense of déjà vu.
He was the manager of Portsmouth, Southampton’s bitter South Coast rivals, until Milan Mandaric, the chairman, brought in Velimir Zajec as executive director in November. Redknapp felt threatened and, within weeks, had resigned at Fratton Park.
Jim Smith, Redknapp’s assistant, said at the time: “There had been problems in terms of players, with what the chairman perceived and what Harry perceived. Bringing in Mr Zajec pushed Harry all the way. It was the final straw.” Redknapp said: “I’ve decided not to live in the middle of a soap opera. One day, it’s one thing, and the next, something else. I want a break from that, thanks.”
Two weeks later, Redknapp courted controversy by taking over from Steve Wigley at Southampton on an 18-month contract. He could not save the team from relegation — they won only four of 22 league matches in his charge — but he was quick to reaffirm that he would stay on in the Championship during 2005-06.
However, Redknapp’s mood darkened when the contract of Smith, who had followed him from Fratton Park to St Mary’s, was not renewed. Smith accused Lowe of dispensing with him so that he could appoint Woodward, Lowe’s long-time friend and a football fan since childhood.
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Redknapp can appreciate Woodward’s thoroughness and technical skills. “Look at Sam Allardyce at Bolton and the way that he has used science and the success that he has had,” Redknapp said. “If Clive can help me with that, then it is not a problem to me. I would be happy with that. He wants to get involved with the academy and the kids and to learn the game.”
If Woodward strays into enemy territory, though, Redknapp is likely to leave. “I think that Clive eventually wants to become a manager,” he said. “That is his ambition. But he knows that it is not going to happen overnight. It will take a few years.”