HARRY REDKNAPP was this afternoon being unveiled as Saints' fourth manager of 2004.

In an amazing about-turn, chairman Rupert Lowe has conceded defeat in his attempt to introduce a continental style set-up with Steve Wigley as head coach.

As the Daily Echo went to press, Redknapp was finalising a deal to take over as manager with a press conference planned at 3pm this afternoon.

Ironically, Wigley's one league victory in 14 matches at the helm came against Portsmouth in one of Redknapp's last games as Pompey manager at St Mary's on November 13.

But, with Saints rooted in the relegation zone, the board have taken decisive action.

Redknapp's appointment means the club have entered the crucial month of December in the remarkable position of having chalked up more managers or head coaches than league wins this season.

The 57-year-old will be Lowe's eighth manager or head coach since becoming chairman in 1997, and the 11th in all since January 1994.

The charismatic former Bournemouth, West Ham and Portsmouth manager will be a popular choice among Saints fans.

Although sympathetic with Wigley - particularly considering the number of injuries in recent months - the St Mary's faithful have grown increasingly disillusioned with the current situation and will welcome a big name personality like Redknapp with a proven track-record of success.

It is not yet known exactly what a change would mean for Wigley, although he is expected to be offered another position at the club, probably with the reserves or the academy.

Ex-Saints defender Kevin Bond will be assistant to Redknapp, leaving the future uncertain for Christan Damiano.

Many had expected Glenn Hoddle to return to Saints this week.

The former England boss was thought to still be the first-choice of Lowe, but he ruled himself out after taking charge of Wolves - albeit only on a six-month contract.

Yesterday afternoon, it had seemed no move for Redknapp would be immediate as the former Portsmouth boss was due off on holiday to Dubai with his wife Sandra.

But events are understood to have moved quickly and Redknapp cancelled the holiday and will take charge of Saints for the first time in Saturday's St Mary's clash with Middlesbrough.

Redknapp left Pompey just two weeks ago after two-and-a-half hugely successful years.

He would follow Alan Ball as the second man to cross the south-coast divide as a boss.

When asked about the possibility of taking over at Saints after attending a charity function for Leukaemia Busters, Redknapp was yesterday remaining coy.

He said: "It's football and I'm a football man so I want to know if anything comes up and if it does and it suits me then I'll have a look at it but right now I've made no plans.

"I think I'll be back. I said after I left Portsmouth I didn't know whether I'd be out of the game for a week, a month or a year or maybe I'll never get back in.

"But I sat at home on Saturday and watched the results and the scores on Sky and I didn't enjoy very much.

"I think I need to be involved sooner rather than later. It's part of my life."

Redknapp, who lives in Poole, continued: "Unless I hear from Mr Lowe, I'm off to Dubai.

"I have had no contact with Rupert Lowe. No one has phoned me and no one has been in touch from Southampton.

"If I don't get a call from anyone, how can I respond?

"I can't be offered a job if I have not spoken to anyone. I'm off to Dubai with Sandra and that's the end of it.

"People put two and two together because I'm out of work and there's supposed to be a job vacancy down the road.

"That does not mean I would take it anyway because football does not work like that."

As the Daily Echo went to press this morning, Saints were refusing to comment officially on numerous reports stating that Redknapp will take over within the next 48 hours.

"There is nothing to comment on," said a club spokesperson. "We are focusing on Saturday's game."

Pompey fans are sure to be desperately disappointed if Redknapp does arrive at St Mary's.

Fratton Park director Terry Brady said: "I do hope it's not true for the sake of the supporters who loved Harry. It really would be the highest betrayal possible.

"It would give the impression he has been in negotiations for some time and has used the appointment of Velimir Zajec as executive director as an excuse to leave the club."