Woodward set for soccer apprenticeship

Southampton FC manager Harry Redknapp insists that Sir Clive Woodward will arrive at St Mary's as a footballing novice who is keen to learn.

The former England rugby coach, who has just overseen a bitterly disappointing British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, is due to start a new role with the Saints "before the end of the month", according to Redknapp.

Speculation suggests that Woodward is being groomed as Redknapp's successor and that the former West Ham and Portsmouth boss could be leaving the club sooner rather than later.

But Redknapp was convinced the new man would take his time learning the ins and outs of a different sporting code.

"I have met him on a couple of occasions and he loves his football. He is dead keen and wants to get into it," he said.

"I think he wants to learn about the game. He wants to watch and learn and I am sure, as a clever guy, he will not leave himself in an open position.

"He will come and have a look and take his time with it all."

Redknapp admitted he would also be starting from scratch as far as some of the methods the new man would be bringing with him were concerned.

Asked what Woodward's role would be he replied: "I am not 100 percent sure myself at the moment.

"No, he is coming in as technical director and will be more involved with the academy.

"He will be working on the sports-science side of the club. That is really where he will have a big input.

"If you look at Bolton, Sam Allardyce has taken a lot of that stuff on board.

"But I could not stand here and say I understand it all. I understand the football."

Redknapp's immediately priority is re-establishing Southampton's top-flight status following their last-day relegation from the Premiership.

His trusty right-hand man Jim Smith was removed from the wage bill as a cost-cutting measure but Redknapp was confident he was still surrounded by enough experienced coaches.

He said: "I have got Kevin Bond with me and Dave Bassett with me and Dennis Rofe as well so we have a strong [coaching] team already.

"So if he [Woodward] can bring something to the club then great. I think you have got to have an open mind and see what Clive can bring to us."