Always Managing: My Autobiography (51 page)

Winning promotion to the Premiership with Pompey, with a 1–0 win over Burnley, was a special moment for me and the fans.

Finally getting our hands on the Championship trophy after a win against Rotherham on the final day of the season.

I like a glass of bubbly as much as the next man, but a whole bottle was too much for me.

All change as I acknowledge the fans at St Mary’s alongside chairman Rupert Lowe in December 2004. But this episode of my south coast saga did not go according to plan.

Returning to Fratton Park with Southampton was one of my hardest days as a manager. There were death threats, police escorts and the ground echoed to cries of Judas and much worse. And we lost 4–1.

I brought in Dave Bassett at the start of my second season at Southampton to mix things up a bit, but by then things had already gone too far. I knew that it just wasn’t working out.

Celebrating with Jamie after a 2–0 victory over Liverpool. Southampton was the first time I’d managed him since he was a kid. I don’t regret the signing but felt sad that his last season as a professional had to end in relegation.

All change AGAIN! Back at Pompey as Milan’s blue-eyed boy, but what would the fans say and how long would Mandaric be there? Either way, I couldn’t resist a second bite.

Staying up, staying up, staying up. Celebrating Premiership survival with the players after a win at the DW Stadium in April 2006.

Announcing the signing of Peter Crouch with Peter Storrie. The Gaydamak money certainly helped us buy big, and they don’t come any bigger than Crouchie.

Celebrating Kanu’s goal against Cardiff City in the FA Cup final. The biggest moment in Pompey’s history. The secret of our success was pre-match karaoke.

Celebrating back home in the obligatory open-top bus with the people of Portsmouth out on the streets in droves.

A kickabout on the Wembley turf before the Community Shield with the next generation of Redknapp talent – in the form of my grandson Harry.