Redknapp laughs off Portsmouth return speculation

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp on Friday laughed off speculation that he was set to quit White Hart Lane to return to Portsmouth.

Bookmakers had slashed the odds on Redknapp leaving Tottenham from 50-1 to evens after heavy betting that he would go back to Portsmouth for the third time in his career to rescue the team who are bottom of the Premier League.

Portsmouth have lost seven successive league matches and were unable to pay their players this week while owner Sulaiman Al Fahim, currently in hospital following an operation, makes an attempt to refinance the club.

But, speaking ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League match at Bolton, Redknapp gave no indication that he was heading for a shock exit.

“I’m definitely not leaving. It’s absolute nonsense. Absolute rubbish,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier than I am here. I love it here and I have no intention of leaving. It couldn’t have gone better for me.

“I left Portsmouth more than a year ago. Hopefully, Portsmouth will get sorted out. I don’t know where people dream these stories up from.

“I just hope the guy (Al Fahim) who is in hospital recovers and puts his money in and Portsmouth will be fine.

“It’s been a difficult year for them. They’ve sold players and it’s sad to see them in that situation.”