Redknapp, fans and ex-players give Mandaric tribute

Mandaric brought Harry Redknapp to Portsmouth Football Club in 2002

Pompey fans, ex-players and ex-managers have paid tribute to the former owner of their football club Milan Mandaric, who has died aged 87.

The Serbian-American businessman rescued Portsmouth Football Club from the brink of bankruptcy when he bought it in1999.

He appointed Harry Redknapp as the club's manager in 2002 and ushered in a period of success for the team which saw them win the Championship and promotion to the Premier League in 2003.

Redknapp said: "I really loved him, he was a special man and he absolutely loved Portsmouth Football Club and them times with them fans was so special."

Milan Mandaric has died aged 87

He added: "He was the only chairman I ever met where the crowd would sing his name for 90 minutes."

Remembering his relationship with the boss, Redknapp said: "We'd argue, we'd fall out, we'd get back together, we'd have a glass of wine and we'd be best buddies."

He described his time with Portsmouth under Mandaric as "the best" in his life in football.

Mandaric's family said he died in a hospital in Belgrade on Saturday following a short illness.

Alan Knight, legendary Portsmouth goalkeeper and club ambassador who was goalkeeping coach for the team under Mandaric's ownership, said it was a "really sad day".

He said: "He was a supporters' man. He got behind the club. It was a little bit of a shock when I heard the news."

"Fans have always appreciated what he did. He was a humble man. He would always talk with the supporters, engage – he wasn't aloof or anything and I think that's what the Portsmouth fans really did appreciate."

Portsmouth Football Club said it was "mourning the loss of Milan Mandaric".

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Milan's family and friends at this sad time," added the club.

Mandaric sold the club to French-Israeli businessman Alexandre Gaydamak for £32m in 2006.

Despite this he remained interested in the team, returning to Fratton Park last season to watch from the directors' box as the side played out a goalless draw with Sheffield United in the Championship.

Jeff Harris, from the Pompey podcast Three Lads in the Pub, said: "He came in at a really difficult period for the club, really transformed the club.

"He was an owner for the here and now rather than long-term strategy. What he said he was going to do he actually delivered and he was true to his word.

"He got us back to the Premier League and I think if you look back, those years are probably the best years in recent times."

Long-serving Portsmouth goalkeeper Knight said Mandaric was "a supporters' man"

Neil Allen, chief sports writer at the Portsmouth News, said: "He was extremely charismatic, warm, funny, great company but he could be volatile.

"He could be explosive. He had a temper on him. He could be ruthless – but he never bore a grudge. The arguments he had with Harry Redknapp are absolutely legendary."

Portsmouth fan Iain Harris said: "I remember very fondly his tenure at the club with Harry [Redknapp] and Jim [Smith] and a lot of good times.

"We had gone through a bit of a hard time before he came in and he brought the smiles back to the ground.

"He didn't detach himself [from the fans]. I remember him going to the pub when we were in there and buying pints for everyone, having chats with everyone.

"He certainly mixed with the fans and he was very popular."