Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp says the money Dave Whelan shelled out to take Steve Bruce to Wigan Athletic will be worth it.

A £3m compensation package was agreed with Birmingham, ending up with Bruce earning a contract worth a cool £2m a year.

And Redknapp believed it's indicative of the state of the current managerial merry-go-round.

He added: "It's going to cost Wigan probably £9m over three years but it will be worth it.

"You look at how many experienced Premier League managers are about. Not many and Steve Bruce will do a good job for Wigan.

"He'll be worth every penny of that money if he keeps them in the Premier League. It's the manager who determines the squad and builds the team, no-one else.

"Ordinary players are getting £30-40,000 a week so why shouldn't managers get good pay?"