Departed Redknapp accepts honour

Redknapp led Portsmouth to an FA Cup triumph in May

Former Portsmouth Football Club manager Harry Redknapp is expected to accept the freedom of the city despite quitting the club three days earlier.

Redknapp left Fratton Park to take charge of London Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

But the 61-year-old is expected to return on Tuesday to accept the freedom of the city, after guiding Portsmouth to FA Cup success last season.

"If they would like me to be there then I will," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I think I'm getting it for what I've done, I'd like to go."

In May Redknapp led Pompey to their first FA Cup triumph in more than 60 years with a 1-0 win over Cardiff.

There is a huge feeling of disappointment in the city now he [Redknapp] has gone Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson

He also brought Uefa Cup European football to Fratton Park.

But Redknapp joined Tottenham after the north Londoners sacked Spanish manager Juande Ramos following the club's worst ever start to a season.

"It's a big opportunity to manage a big club before I retire," said Redknapp.

But Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the leader of Portsmouth City Council, admitted that the mood of Tuesday's freedom of the city event will now be different.

"He [Redknapp] will be welcome but it will have a different tone to it," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"It would have been a great celebration but the news that Harry has gone will make it a sadder occasion.

"My expectation is that he will be there. But there is a huge feeling of disappointment in the city now he has gone."

Also, Cllr Vernon-Jackson admitted that the council would "need to think again" about plans to name a new civic clock tower bell after Redknapp.

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