IT was always stretching the imagination somewhat.

And as Harry Redknapp finally brought down the curtain on his hugely successful time as Pompey boss, he also brushed aside reports regarding an unlikely future on the other side of the south-coast divide.

Asked directly about the Southampton link, Redknapp categorically denied having any talks with club chairman Rupert Lowe since leaving Fratton Park last week.

"No talks, none at all. Not a thing," he said.

Redknapp was speaking at a press conference with Milan Mandaric and was jokingly strangled by the Portsmouth chairman when quizzed about Saints.

Another avenue of gossip was also possibly blocked yesterday when Glenn Hoddle's right-hand man John Gorman took charge of Wycombe Wanderers.

Amid the incessant rumour and counter-rumour, Saints head coach Steve Wigley is focussed squarely on preparing the team for Saturday's trip to Manchester United.

Despite unrest from fans over recent poor results, both Wigley and Lowe have said that they regard the current coaching set-up as a long-term arrangement.

And the Saints head coach has discouraged endless supportive statements from the chairman for fear of further provoking stories about his future.

It is an old adage, but he is simply taking each game as it comes.

Redknapp, meanwhile, did admit that he had been approached by one club since leaving Portsmouth.

He did not name the club, although it is widely thought to be Wolves.

Portsmouth were yesterday holding a 'clear the air' press conference following a newspaper report regarding money paid to agents which Redknapp described as "hurtful".

"I thought it was important to clear up what had been going on," he said.

"When I woke up Saturday morning and saw that headline, I've never been so shocked and disgusted in my life because I know I have done nothing but good for this football club.

"It wasn't the lad who wrote the story, but the headline maker who put it in that we've paid out this money to my special agents.

"We have used 31 different agents. I couldn't even tell you what one player at this football club earns let alone what agent's fee anyone has been paid. I don't get involved at all."

Mandaric backed Redknapp and also admitted that when he first heard about the press conference, he had for an "exciting" moment even thought his former manager might decide to return to Fratton Park.

"I started getting excited," he said. "I thought that Harry came to say I'm going back to join Milan again. I was wrong, unfortunately we have to clear what needs to be cleared.

"Harry was never involved at any time on any transfer and contract negotiations throughout his period at the club.

"And at no time did I ever imply that there was any wrongdoing by Harry Redknapp in these transactions and I was simply saying that agents take so much out of the game."

Mandaric said the club had paid some £3.4m to various agents in the past two-and-a-half years.