JIM SMITH dropped a giant clanger on his first day as Harry Redknapp’s No 2 at Southampton — by driving to PORTSMOUTH’S training ground!
Smith agreed on Wednesday to copy Redknapp’s controversial defection along the South Coast from Fratton Park to St Mary’s.
But the Bald Eagle was left red-faced 24 hours later when he turned up at Pompey’s Southampton-based training HQ by accident — 10 MILES from where he was meant to be.
Smith, 64, was greeted by baffled looks from Portsmouth staff before realising his mistake.
He quickly jumped back into his BMW saloon and drove down the M27 to Saints’ base in the New Forest.
Sheepish Smith admitted: “There was a bit of confusion.
“I was not concentrating and I ended up at the wrong training ground. That put 10 minutes on my journey.”
Smith also attacked Pompey supporters over their treatment of Redknapp following his switch to their bitter Premiership rivals. Redknapp was branded a Judas after taking charge at Saints earlier this month — just TWO WEEKS after quitting Fratton Park saying he needed a break from football.
The pair have been forced to cancel an ‘Audience with Harry and Jim’ live show scheduled to take place in a Portsmouth theatre in the New Year because of fears for their safety.
Smith rapped: “It is disgraceful that the fans have reacted in this way.
“I can understand supporters wanting to beat Southampton and the Southampton fans wanting to beat Portsmouth — but Harry’s treatment is a disgrace. I have seen it before at Blackburn and Burnley but this has gone too far.
especially the bit about them fearing for their safety. Nothing to do with the fact no one in Portsmouth is going to be particularly interested in buying tickets to a show to see their rival's manager?
stupid old cunt