HARRY REDKNAPP has admitted he fears for his health amid the intense pressure to keep Saints in the Premiership.

The new St Mary's boss lifted the gloom with his first league victory at the helm on Saturday thanks to an encouraging 2-0 win over Liverpool.

But, speaking to a Sunday newspaper in the build-up to the game, he described managing Saints as the most pressurised job of his long career and said he even fears a heart attack.

"I've barely slept properly since I took this job on," he said.

"I wake up at 3am every morning with chronic pains in my chest and my stomach.

"I've not been to see any medical people as that's not me, but my assistant Jim Smith thinks the job will eventually kill me.

"I know I'm my own worst enemy at times but I just feel under big pressure to keep this team up.

"No one is putting that pressure on me - chairman Rupert Lowe has been very supportive.

"It's all self-inflicted as I've taken the job on and my pride won't let me take this club down.

"I've experienced relegation once with Bournemouth and I don't want to be associated with it. So, call me stupid, but I can't walk away.

"I'll see this job through if it kills me."

Redknapp also admitted he had originally wanted the job until the end of the season and said Glenn Hoddle was almost the successor to Steve Wigley.

He added: "I only wanted to sign a six-month contract initially but the club wanted security, which is understandable. Whether I stay depends on what happens at the end of the season.

"I won't say I'm going to walk out as it sends out all the wrong messages.

"If we can get through this year, maybe I can look to build a team in the summer that I'm comfortable with, which would help ease the in-tense pressure of our situation.

"The irony is I got the job Glenn had - it was his for the taking - but he chose Wolves in the job I could have had."

David Prutton and Pet-er Crouch goals sealed Saturday's crucial win and Redknapp admitted it was just what he needed.

"I've had to lift the players, but the only trouble is, when I go home, my wife has to do that for me," he said.

"I've been a nightmare but, thankfully, I'll be able to enjoy myself this weekend and have a glass of red wine."