GORDON Strachan turned down the chance to become Portsmouth manager so as not to sour memories of his time at local rivals Southampton.

The Scot, who left his job as manager of Saints in February, felt his recent St Mary's connections made it an untimely and unseemly move for him to make.

Harry Redknapp made a similar switch much quicker, albeit in the opposite direction, when he quit Portsmouth last month and subsequently defected to Saints.

But it was not for Strachan, who said: "I think it's a fantastic job for anybody apart from somebody who has just been the Southampton manager.

"It's got everything going for it but I've got too many memories of the other side and I don't want to sour those memories.

"Everything's right - it's ten minutes (away), there are good players there, a good set-up and a good atmosphere at the ground, but it's not right for somebody who has just been the Southampton manager."

Portsmouth director Terry Brady told the club's official website: "I had a cup of coffee with Gordon last week to discuss the matter. Gordon has come to the conclusion at this part of his career that the timing is not right and he can't force himself to make the move from Southampton to Pompey so soon after leaving St Mary's."