JIM Smith, the former Oxford United manager who was the fans' choice to replace Graham Rix at the Kassam Stadium, before the Argentinian arrival, has joined Southampton as assistant to manager Harry Redknapp.
The two resume the partnership they had at Ports- mouth.
Redknapp said: "Jim is a good man to have around. He is down to earth and has a bit of life about him and we need that right now."
Smith, 64, said: "I have been at Portsmouth twice and each time I have been asked to leave, so I haven't got any qualms about joining anybody really.
"There is a tremendous rivalry, a sensible rivalry, between the clubs. Southampton fans want to beat Portsmouth and finish higher than them and vice versa. Any true football fan in Hampshire wants Southampton and Portsmouth to be in the Premier League."
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