New Southampton boss Harry Redknapp has denied accusations he betrayed former club Portsmouth by joining their south coast rivals two weeks after leaving. Redknapp said: "I don't see it as an act of betrayal. I left Pompey half way up the Premiership and circumstances at the club had changed.
"A new chap [Velimir Zajec] came in and it didn't suit me so I moved on.
"I've watched football on TV for two weeks and hated it. The chairman called me on Monday, it's too good to refuse."
Redknapp denied he had been in talks with Saints chairman Rupert Lowe while he was at Portsmouth and said the Pompey fans should be grateful for the job he did.
He added: "I had two weeks at home, felt myself getting bitter and twisted, had a very uncomfortable couple of weeks and I got this offer and jumped at it.
"If the people at Portsmouth look at it realistically they should be thankful for the job I've done and I'm thankful for their support, but that's in the past.
"If I'd walked away from Portsmouth with them in dire straits then it would be different but I know the job I've done there.
"I walk away with my head held high, having given the fans the best two-and-a-half years they'll see in their lives."
The former West Ham boss also warned Saints fans it will be a tough test to avoid relegation this season.
"I've got a big challenge on my hands. Southampton aren't third from bottom because they're playing well," he said.
"I've never been relegated from the Premier League and I don't intend to start now.
"I've just done 900 games and I want to do 1,000. I'll only do that if we stay in the Premier League."
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I've never been relegated from the Premier League and don't intend to start now 
"Players take a lot more responsibility"