Redknapp keen on Saints

Redknapp already lives on the south coast

Harry Redknapp has become the front-runner to take over at Southampton.

Redknapp says he would be interested in taking over the Premiership outfit and is believed to have had informal talks with Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe.

"I don't know if I'm going to be offered the job at Southampton," Redknapp told BBC Radio Five Live.

"But it is a job I would be interested in."

They are not one of the bigger clubs but they are a family club with lots of potential

  Harry Redknapp on the Southampton vacancy

Redknapp was manager at neighbouring Bournemouth for almost nine years before his seven-year stint at West Ham.

"Southampton is a good job. It is similar to the one at West Ham - they are not one of the bigger clubs but they are a family club with lots of potential," he added.

"They have good professionals and are moving to a new stadium next season."

The Saints have been searching for the successor to Glenn Hoddle since he left for Tottenham in March.

Role for Gray

Chairman Rupert Lowe, who initially said he would take all summer if necessary to find the right man, reckons they are at least 10 days away from an appointment.

"We have met people, we are meeting more people and we are working our way through the various possibilities open to us.

"We still have one eye on an internal appointment and Stuart Gray is entirely happy with what we are doing. He is very much in our plans."

Gray, who enjoyed victories over Manchester United and Arsenal as caretaker boss, will be retained in some role,c as will the rest of the coaching staff.

That could be a potential sticking point for Redknapp given his working relationship with brother-in-law Frank Lampard, his assistant at West Ham.