Redknapp eyes Leicester

Redknapp is emerging as Leicester City's prime target

Harry Redknapp is firm favourite to succeed sacked Peter Taylor at Leicester City - and admits he may be interested in moving to Filbert Street.

Portsmouth director of football Redknapp has been linked with Leicester since they lost their opening league game 5-0 at home to newly-promoted Bolton.

The door could now be open for the manager sacked by West Ham after Taylor lost his job at Leicester.

And Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has said that he will let Redknapp go if he asks him.

Redknapp told BBC Five Live: "It could be a good chance for me, but I don't know. Leicester may have somebody else in mind.

If this is something he must do and wants to do I would let him

Milan Mandaric
Portsmouth chairman

"There are pros and cons, but if Leicester want to speak to me we will take it from there. I have heard nothing from Leicester. I'd also have to have a word with my chairman at Portsmouth."

Poole-based Redknapp added: "Travelling wouldn't be a problem for me. Moving is never a problem if it is the right job and you fancy it."

He added: "I think Leicester are a terrific club and have had a good few years. It's a good job - but whoever takes it has got a hard job. It will be a big challenge. They're the bookmakers' favourites to go down.

"They're the red-hot favourites to finish bottom of the league, so it's a great challenge for someone to go there and sort things out."

However, Redknapp likes Portsmouth and is close friends with chairman Milan Mandaric. He said: "I get on very well with the people at Portsmouth, and the chairman particularly."

Mandaric told BBC Radio Five Live: "There is a very good relationship between us - basically friendship between Harry and myself and he is an asset.

  Taylor managerial factfile

1953: Born Southend 3 January

1993: Appointed manager of First Division Southend in December, following departure of Barry Fry to Birmingham

1995: A 4-0 defeat at the hands of Watford marks the end for Taylor, who is sacked in February. Joins Conference outfit Dover

1996: Dover finish third bottom of the Conference. Leaves to become England Under-21 manager.

1999: Appointed manager of Gillingham, who he leads to promotion from Division Two.

2000: Becomes Leicester boss in July

Appointed England coach on a short-term, part-time basis on 22 October

2001: Foxes end the 2000/2001 season 13th. September 30: Sacked as Leicester manager

"I spent a lot of energy to bring him here and I want to keep him here.

"If I believe he wants it (the Leicester job) and wants to leave. I will have to sit down and listen to Harry.

"This is no surprise to me - I would be surprised if clubs were not interested in Harry.

"If this is something he must do and wants to do I would let him, of course, because he is my friend."

Former Gillingham bossTaylor discovered his fate late on Sunday night after a meeting with Foxes football chairman John Elsom.

An official announcement was made to the Stock Exchange on Monday, and coach Gary Parker takes temporary charge of the club.

Taylor finally sacked by Foxes

The contracts of football co-ordinator Colin Murphy and first team coach Steve Butler have also been terminated.

Taylor was the first Premiership manager to lose his job this season, which is barely six weeks old.

His former assistant at the Hammers, Frank Lampard snr, paid to watch Leicester lose at Charlton on Saturday.