Harry Redknapp has paid tribute the late Jim Smith, declaring him "the best signing I ever made".

Smith, who managed a number of English clubs including Derby and Oxford United, passed away at the age of 79 after battling an illness this Tuesday.

Smith was assistant manager under Redknapp at Portsmouth from 2002 to 2004, where they won promotion from the old Division One at their very first attempt.

"The best signing I ever made was Jim Smith, and we had a great time together at Portsmouth," Redknapp told the Daily Mail.

"I'm in the office one day and Chris Kamara is outside working for Sky and I'm in my office with Jim Smith.

"I don't know he's out there and he says 'we are now going to go in the inner sanctum - Harry's in there with Jim and they're working out their set plays, the formation... this is where they're doing the real work'. He opens the door and comes in.

"I'm reading the Racing Post and Jim was behind me looking at his bets for the day. It was live on Sky!"