Woodward has given himself ten years in football

Woodward's role as performance director at the club has led to speculation of a split between him and Redknapp.

Woodward said: "I am absolutely no threat to Harry, the complete opposite. I'm not an idiot and I would not allow a situation where I undermine him.

"I would love to work with the first team, but that wouldn't be for months."

Woodward was appointed by Saints' chairman Rupert Lowe at the start of the season and has been working with the club's youth teams.

"I have made no secret of the fact that one day I would like to be in the position to be a manager," he told the Times newspaper.

Have Your Say on 606 Chat about Woodward's future

"I have given myself 10 years in football.

"But I won't know that for sure until I am fully qualified. From today, that is going to take me three years to get my Uefa Pro Licence.

"Without being big-headed, I believe I could be a performance director in any sport.

"But at the moment my desk is in Harry's office and I just sit and watch.

"I am learning. I do the structural work that Harry and 95% of managers don't have time for because they have to worry about results."

Woodward won the rugby World Cup as England coach but was heavily criticised following his leadership of this summer's British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.