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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

I'm a Celebrity line up: Make sure Harry Redknapp doesn't join Strictly! Southampton troll former boss

Harry Redknapp's stint as Southampton manager still leaves a sour taste in the mouth for many Saints fans.

After joining from south coast rivals Portsmouth in 2004, Redknapp oversaw Southampton's relegation to the Championship after 27 consecutive years in England's top flight.

He then walked out on Saints midway through the next campaign with the club 12th in the second tier, rubbing salt in the wound when he pitched up back at bitter rivals Portsmouth two weeks later.

To make matters worse, Redknapp enjoyed much more success at Fratton Park, steering Pompey away from relegation trouble, sealing a ninth-placed finish, and winning the FA Cup Final in 2008.

And Southampton were quick to troll their former boss when he was revealed as one of the contestants joining the line up for I'm a Celebrity.

In a cheeky nod to his bitter St. Mary's exit, Southampton's official Twitter account posted: "Careful Harry doesn’t leave you halfway through to join @bbcstrictly."

But Redknapp thinks his jungle experience will be far easier than life in the dugout.

Redknapp oversaw Southampton's relegation before walking out the following December (Getty Images)

"You haven't got many friends when it's not going well as a football manager. So no, I don't think doing this will be tougher," said the 71-year-old.

I'm a Celebrity kicks off on Sunday, November 18.

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