Why Harry suits the Saints

By Neil Warnock Sheff Utd boss and BBC Sport columnist

Harry Redknapp's switch to Southampton may have surprised some but funnily enough it is a move I prophesied the day that he left Portsmouth.

I was convinced that when Saints chairman Rupert Lowe saw the opportunity of bringing in someone experienced like Harry, who lives a stone's throw away from the club, it made too much commonsense to turn down.

Although I know a couple of other clubs were linked with him I'm sure that this job was always going to be the top of the charts for Harry, and I expect Jim Smith too.

Because of Southampton's situation their fans will welcome Redknapp almost unanimously Saints to name Redknapp as boss

From Harry's point of view, I'm sure that having been out of a job for a few days he will have realised that without having the upheaval of moving, Southampton, which is a very well-run club, would be ideal for him.

And also, Harry is a wily old fox. He'll know that the players he'll have at Southampton, even before he starts wheeling and dealing, are more than good enough to stay out of trouble.

Normally I would say you are under enormous pressure by moving from one club to a local rival.

But in this particular case I don't think there's any pressure - I think everything's a bonus for him. He's in a no-lose situation.

Because of Southampton's situation their fans will welcome him almost unanimously.

It possibly is the best option for the fans with regards to how disappointed they would have been if Glenn Hoddle had been given the job.

Even so, it's a bit like me taking over at Sheffield Wednesday - and it just shows you that nothing is beyond the realms of impossibility.

Glenn Hoddle's six-month contract is an interesting one. It's something that wouldn't bother me

In normal circumstances I don't think Southampton or Portsmouth supporters would have been able to accept the appointment.

But Pompey fans won't begrudge Harry after what he's done for them and the way in which he left the club.

However, the appointment does go against what Lowe believes in.

He has always preached that a chief coach is the answer in modern-day football - but I disagree totally with that philosophy.

I don't think directors or even chairmen at some clubs realise just what an experienced manager does at a club.

It's not just about what happens on the training ground, it's about the whole club - and no disrespect to Steve Wigley it's a massive job to get everything at the club in harmony.

But I don't think Harry will have a problem with Rupert because he is a decent chap to get on with.

I think Rupert will have learned over the last few months that his outlook on running a club on the football side is not the way to be successful.

You have to have an experienced manager at the helm - then you can carry on running the club the way he has done.

Wolves appoint Hoddle as manager

Glenn going to Wolves is an interesting one - because the Championship is not an easy league to get out of.

And I think his six-month contract is intriguing as well - it's something that wouldn't worry me.

If I ever left Sheffield United, and I still wanted to work, I would go to the right club without a contract because I've got confidence in myself. The contract wouldn't be the be-all-and-end-all.

When you're younger contracts are vitally important but as you get older I think you know yourself what you can do.