The arrival of Avram Grant had Harry Redknapp ready to quit Portsmouth for a second time, the manager has revealed.
Redknapp, 60, will be reunited with Grant at Stamford Bridge today after the Israeli quit Fratton Park to take up a similar post at Chelsea last month.
"I thought 'Here we go again'. I had just kept the club up and had nothing to prove to anyone so I honestly thought about walking away. I did not want a repeat of what went on before.
"But when I met Avram, I realised he was a decent, honest guy and someone I could see myself working with.
"He never caused me a single problem and was a good person to have around.
"He has great football knowledge and I used to talk to him a lot.
"He never tried to interfere and I was sorry to see him go."
It was rumoured that Grant's appointment was at the centre of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's spat with owner Roman Abramovich.
Redknapp added: "I am sure Jose felt the same way as I did at first but Avram is good as gold. He has not got a bad bone in his body."
