Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie admits losing manager Harry Redknapp to Newcastle United earlier this season would have been "catastrophic".

He told the Sunday Mirror: "Harry's departure would have been catastrophic. If it had come down purely to money he would have gone and we would have been powerless to compete.

"But aside from the fact that Harry right loves where he lives and is settled, I think it ultimately came down to him feeling that he had unfinished business here."

Pompey owner Sacha Gaydamak also remarked: "Harry is a fantastic manager. He is priceless.

"The players that come to this club and perform on the pitch do so because of the manager. But I was powerless to stop him going to Newcastle.

"I was on the phone to him non-stop when they made an official approach for him but if you are asking me to be honest about it, I genuinely feared he was leaving."