NEW DEAL FOR HARRY

Paul Smith, sundaymirror.co.uk 28/10/2007

EXCLUSIVE PORTSMOUTH BOSS STAYING PUT Redknapp's £7M reward for Pompey climb

Harry Redknapp has pledged his long-term future to Portsmouth by agreeing to sign a new £7million three-and-a-half-year contract at Fratton Park.

The deal, which will be formally announced tomorrow, brings speculation about Redknapp's future at the club to an end.

Redknapp had been courted by a number of top-flight clubs, including Tottenham.

But following formal and open discussions about his future over the past couple of weeks he made it abundantly clear he was committed to Pompey and had no plans to leave.

Redknapp has transformed the fortunes of the club during two spells.

In his first full season he led them to promotion and, following a fall-out that led to his appointment at arch-rivals Southampton, he returned to save Pompey from certain relegation.

In recent seasons his hard work, coupled with shrewd signings and heavy investment, has turned the club into one of the most stable and progressive teams in the Premier League.

His bumper pay packet is justified reward for his endeavours at the club.

Redknapp will receive a £700,000 rise on his annual salary of £1.3million and with bonuses related to performance it could rise another £500,000 which puts him among the top five earners in the division.

The deal was finalised last night but had to be right, taking into account it is likely to be Redknapp's last contract before he retires.

He informed the board and chief executive, Peter Storrie, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support him, that this would be his last club and contract.

As part of his deal Redknapp has promised to find and groom his eventual successor.

Although one highly placed source at the club said Redknapp's obsessions with football is so bad the only way he's likely to leave Portsmouth is in a box.

David James has revealed the secret driving force behind Portsmouth's European push - Take That.

Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari is the 90s heartthrobs' biggest fan and makes his teammates listen to their album before every game. England goalkeeper James (right) said: "Sulley took charge of the music when Gary O'Neil left for Middlesbrough.

He's always got his iPod on and has some seriously bad music on there.

"A couple of weeks ago he had some sort of 80s stuff on. People were looking at him like, 'What's that all about?'.

"He followed that up with a bit of Take That. It seems to be working for us."

Derby boss Billy Davies is ready to throw Richard Hughes a Premier League lifeline after he revealed he is to quit Portsmouth in January,

Scotland midfielder Hughes, 28, has played only one Premier League game this season after falling victim to Redknapp's £30million summer spending spree.

Hughes said: "Moving away in January is inevitably something I have to consider.

"I am 28, supposedly at the peak of my career and if I am not playing, what good am I to anybody or myself?

"It is a demoralising situation to be in when you are not playing. I am contemplating my future."

Hughes has made 96 appearances for Pompey since a £50,000 move from Redknapp's old club Bournemouth in June 2002.