Redknapp felt Strachan's comments were unnecessary

Strachan said at the time: "It's a fantastic job for anybody apart from somebody who's been Southampton boss."

But Redknapp told BBC Radio Five Live: "Gordon did not have to say that and I can't say I was best pleased with him.

"Portsmouth said Gordon claimed you can't make this move - it was a case of heaping a bit more rubbish on Harry."

Redknapp made the switch across the south coast from Portsmouth to join Southampton.

And he revealed that he had spoken to Strachan when the Scot was considering becoming Pompey's new boss.

Strachan rules out Pompey job

"I had spoken to him the week before," said Redknapp. "I said 'if you are interested in the job go and take it. If you are not interested why go and mess around'.

"It seemed to me like it was half a set up.

"When I spoke to him he said 'what have they got there? You left a good team, they have great supporters but there is nothing else there. The ground is falling to pieces, there is no training ground, no youth set-up'."

"He never fancied it so I don't know why he got involved with it and said what he said."

Saints start 2005 second from bottom of the Premiership table and Redknapp is in no doubt that he needs to strengthen his squad while the transfer window is open if the club are to avoid relegation.

"We need about five signings," he said. "There is a big squad but it is short on quality.

"We need to bring in a few players who can do a job in the Premiership and keep us in there."