Speaking after Pompey's 1-1 draw with Fulham, just hours after Redknapp's departure to Tottenham Hotspur, Storrie revealed he had hoped the FA Cup winning manager would change his mind at the 11th hour and stay with the south coast club, writes Claire Harmer.

"I've known Harry for 14 years and he's always had a desire to manage a top side, always. I know you could say Tottenham are bottom of the league, but that's not how you necessarily classify a top club. Tottenham have a big stadium, a fantastic history and to all intents and purposes are a big side," said Storrie.

"Nothing would have given me greater pleasure if Harry had rung me on Saturday night and said 'Look Peter, I've thought it over and I want to stay'.".

"But on this occasion the lure of Tottenham was too much."

During his second spell with the Fratton Park side, Redknapp masterminded an escape from relegation from the Premier League, won the FA Cup and saw Pompey qualify for a UEFA Cup spot. And it is because of what he has achieved during the last three years that he will be so sorely missed by his former colleagues.

"Harry is a great manager and we, of course, did not want him to leave. We tried everything we could to keep him at Portsmouth," Storrie continued.

unexpected departure

"However, he made it clear that although he has achieved great success here at Fratton Park, apparently Spurs is one of the only clubs he would consider leaving for.

"On his return to Fratton Park (in 2005), Harry performed a near miracle in keeping us in the top flight and we have since gone on to become an established top 10 side. Last season we won the FA Cup for the first time in nearly 70 years and qualified for European competition for the first time.

"Everyone at the club has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Harry and he has been a very good friend to me personally.

Storrie, who also worked alongside Redknapp at West Ham United, explained that the 61-year-old's unexpected departure had left the club in some disarray, and plans to find a new manager took a back seat as the coaching staff, led by Joe Jordan and Tony Adams, prepared for the encounter with Fulham.

As for the days ahead, Storrie is happy to take his time as he and club owner Sasha Gaydamak discuss potential candidates.

"It's only right and proper that we think about this and then go forward," he explained. "It has been such a shock and it all happened so quickly that it's not something we have thought about."

one match

With Redknapp's departure coming with such little warning to anyone connected to the club, Storrie was quick to remind fans who may be upset by recent events of all that their former manager had achieved. He said: "Obviously the fans have been critical of Harry today but they should remember the fantastic job he did here.

"I know people will say I'm only saying that because he's a personal friend but the stats are there.

"He's done a great job for the football club and I hope people remember that.

"I wish him all the best of luck and hope he does well there - except for one match obviously!"

Pompey fans will have to wait until 17th January to see how Redknapp and Spurs fare against them in the Barclays Premier League encounter at White Hart Lane.