Harry Upset At Smith Departure

Smith, who has worked with Redknapp during the last few months at Saints and previously during their time together at Portsmouth, was relieved of his assistant managers post at St Mary's on Monday.

"It's a massive blow to me. I have had three fantastic years with Jim and that has been the biggest problem in discussions with the chairman," Redknapp said of Smiths departure.

"At the end of the day I've had to make a decision. The chairman has had to make cutbacks, but no-one has tried harder than I have to keep Jim here."

Smith himself hit out at chairman Rupert Lowe, claiming he had been made the scapegoat for Saints relegation from the Premier League.

"It's not the best. It's not finishing as I would have liked," he said.

"I've been in the game long enough to know that when relegation occurs heads roll. I'm disappointed I'm the only guy that's gone. I'm carrying the can."