Following rumbles of discontent which began during the close season and refused to go away, he announced
"It was my decision and something I have been thinking about for some time. I made it without any pressure from the chairman or the board. I feel very proud of both my own and the club's achievements over the last two and a half years leaving them in an excellent position. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to the chairman and his board for their support, to the players who have performed outstandingly and all the supporters who have been absolutely fantastic to me and the club during my time at Portsmouth FC.
"I will not spend a short period of time resting, to recharge my batteries before contemplating my future."
Redknapp had been at Fratton Park since March 2002, winning the Division One title, and maintaining their Premiership status for a second year. He was part way through a consolidation period, and left the club in good hands in 12th place.
There has, over the last few months, been an uneasy truce at south coast club, following Mandaric’s announcement that he wanted to reorganise the club, in particular the managerial structure.
That said, Redknapp was at pains to point out his decision was not due to his row with the Chairman over the appointment of Velimir Zajec as executive director. Zajec will now take charge of first-team affairs,
This was reiterated by Mandaric in a statement released by the club which said
"Harry and I remain great friends. I have tremendous admiration and respect for where he has taken this club - a feat several managers before him could not get near to. People will obviously make their own minds up and say that Harry has stepped down for the reasons that have been intensely speculated over in the media. That could not be further from the truth but then the speculations were pretty wide of the mark also. The truth is Harry sees this as a perfect opportunity to bow out."
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