5 managers who controversially managed rival clubs

AFC Bournemouth v Bolton Wanderers - Sky Bet Championship
Redknapp spent a year with Southampton in between his 2 spells with rivals Portsmouth

#2. Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth and Southampton and back)

Portsmouth v Cardiff City - FA Cup Final
Harry Redknapp has served both sides of the South Coast Derby

Harry Redknapp left West Ham United in the 2001-02 season and took over as Sporting Director at Portsmouth. Midway through the season, manager Graham Rix was sacked and he took over the manager's role.

He led Portsmouth to promotion to the Premier League in the 2002-03 season. In the 2003-04 season, Redknapp kept Portsmouth up but had many disputes with the team's owner over coaching appointments. At the end of the season, he agreed to join Southampton FC, Portsmouth's biggest rivals. He was instantly vilified by Portsmouth fans.

In the 2004-05 season Portsmouth stayed up but Redknapp's Southampton were relegated. He stayed with Southampton in the first season in the Championship but when Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin was sacked, he was linked to a return to his former club.

Redknapp resigned from Southampton in December 2005 and was appointed Portsmouth manager once more. He was quoted referring to Portsmouth as his 'spiritual home'. Redknapp stayed till 2008 when he won the FA Cup with Portsmouth. He left the club to manage Tottenham Hotspur for the 2008-09 season.

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Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh
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