Portsmouth supporters celebrated on Saturday as manager Harry Redknapp decided that he would not, in fact, be tempted to leave the Hampshire club to join the sinking ship that is Newcastle United. Despite Pompey’s defeat at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, it is clear their fans are delighted Redknapp will not be leaving Fratton Park.

But for some Portsmouth supporters, the joy will be tinged with a slight tang of bitterness.

The word which has been bouncing around the walls of newsrooms up and down the country since Redknapp and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie announced the decision of the former Bournemouth and West Ham boss to stay is ‘'loyalty'’. However, there will surely be a not insignificant number of fans for whom such a claim will raise nothing but questions.

'Ignoring the possibility of a different reality would have been altogether easier had Redknapp and Storrie not wheeled out the ‘'loyalty’' line on Saturday morning'


Is loyalty really the reason for Redknapp snubbing Newcastle?

Some will claim he was never even likely to consider the move. Newcastle are hardly the most attractive proposition these days, and Redknapp’s Portsmouth team are competing for the European places and – despite decidedly worrying home form – look capable of succeeding. Harry’s age (60) must also be considered, as must the fact that his home at Poole Harbour allows him a luxurious lifestyle in the area in which his children grew up.

Given all the reasons he had for staying on the south coast, why would he leave for such an unattractive job elsewhere? It always seemed unlikely, so the labelling of Redknapp’s decision as ‘'loyal’' seems rather bizarre. Harry spoke to Magpies chairman Chris Mort, as well as former Newcastle manager Graeme Souness, and put himself and the Tyneside club in a position which resulted in a job offer being made.