Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was set for showdown talks with chairman Milan Mandaric today after relations between the pair reached breaking point.
Redknapp is unhappy with Mandaric's intention to make changes at Fratton Park, especially on the coaching front, with assistant Jim Smith at the centre of the dispute.
Both claim the other is trying to force the 63-year-old coach out of the door, with Mandaric amazingly insistent it was originally Redknapp's idea to replace Smith.
"I'd like to make it clear that the thought of bringing in a new coach to replace Jim Smith was Harry's idea," he said.
"Harry told me he didn't want to use Jim's services as they weren't helpful.
"I've been trying to protect Harry in public but I emphasise it was Harry trying to get rid of Jim Smith."
But former West Ham boss Redknapp claims he does not like the idea of losing his assistant, and that it would be hard for him to stay at the club if Smith was forced to leave.
Redknapp, who signed a new two-year contract just two months ago, maintains he and Smith are a team and their partnership is vital to the success achieved at Fratton Park this season.
He said: "The chairman is telling filthy lies.
"I told him I would not get rid of Jim in a million years. He's a pal and respected by everyone in football."
Redknapp, pictured, had revealed last night: "I've not spoken to Milan since Saturday and his opinion then was he felt it was time for Jim to move on and retire.
"The whole thing has gone too far now.
"Jim and I are disappointed with the way we've been treated after two fantastic seasons - we both feel very, very bitter.
"It's going to be hard for me not to go - I feel that strongly about Jim.
"I love being with Jim, we bounce ideas off each other - and if he goes it'll be very difficult for me to stay.
"I'm not going to work with a foreign coach - I'll only work with someone I want to work with."
Mandaric admitted he was "appalled" at the situation, claiming the story had "undermined" the club.
He explained: "I've got a club I want to take places - I need improvements here.
"Harry's done a great job, we've stayed up and there were no problems and I told Harry 'maybe you can do something with the coaching' - there is no infrastructure at the club.
"I said we need additional progressive coaching - maybe we could look at getting a coach outside of England. I want somebody that can help us do more than last year to show progress to our supporters that we're taking the club places."
Mandaric added:"I've tremendous respect for Jim Smith - he's a lovely man, a football man and he's done so much. I'm not trying to take it away from him."
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