Redknapp fury at director reports

Redknapp was director of football at Pompey before becoming boss

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has reacted angrily to suggestions chairman Milan Mandaric will appoint a director of football at Fratton Park.

Reports on Thursday claimed Velimir Zajec, who holds a similar position at Panathinaikos, had talks with Mandaric.

"I've not seen the manager/director of football link-up work and we don't know each other," Redknapp told BBC Sport.

But Mandaric said: "I don't know why he would be upset, it wouldn't jeopardise his position but make it stronger."

Redknapp added: "You tell me one time in England when a manager and a director of football combination has worked.

"But it's up to the chairman, it's his club and he will do what he wants to do."

Mandaric told BBC Radio Five Live he did not want Redknapp to feel under pressure but wanted to bring someone in to aid his manager.

"I have not made a decision yet and I would not without speaking first with Harry," he added.

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"I am very keen to improve the infrastructure of the club. I always want to do what's best for the club - it's not always best for me, as the easiest thing is often to do nothing.

"We want to build on what we've achieved here and I've got to make some moves, we want to do a better job.

"Right now, Harry is my manager, if he wants to do anything differently he'd have to come and talk to me and we'd take it from there."

Mandaric had earlier ruled out an immediate move for Zajec, though admitted he had talked to the 47-year-old Croat.

Zajec played for Panathinaikos and won 57 Yugoslavia caps, before coaching the Greek club and then moving into his current role.

He captained Yugoslavia at the 1982 World Cup and the European Championships two years later.