Bosses head to head

Last updated: 16th May 2008

Redknapp Harry

Redknapp: Took West Ham into Europe

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Portsmouth and Cardiff go in search of FA Cup final glory at Wembley on Saturday. Here, we compares the merits of the two men who will lead the sides out - Cardiff's Dave Jones and Pompey manager Herry Redknapp

CAREER HIGHS

Redknapp established West Ham in the top flight and took them into Europe via the Intertoto Cup. Since moving from a director of football role at Portsmouth back into the dug-out in 2002 he has performed a minor miracle, turning them from Division One also-rans to European contenders despite a 13-month period away from the club in 2005. Guiding Pompey to the FA Cup final stands as arguably his greatest achievement as a manager.

Jones took his first club as a manager, Stockport, to promotion to the second tier in 1997 and the League Cup semi-finals that same season. After a spell at Southampton he took Wolves to the Premiership via the play-offs. After a decent but unspectacular spell at Cardiff so far, he steered them to the FA Cup final this season.

CAREER LOWS

Being sacked by West Ham in 2001 after a fall-out with chairman Terry Brown was a low point for Redknapp, as was his row with Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric over the appointment of Velimir Zajec as director of football at Fratton Park in 1994. He left Pompey for rivals Southampton, who were then relegated. Off-field issues this term have been unwelcome but have not affected his team's performances.

Jones' time at Southampton was ended before he had chance to really get started due to non-football matters. Relegation from the Premiership with Wolves and a poor start to their bid to win promotion back there ended his spell at Molineux.

PLAYING CAREER

Redknapp was a decent winger, predominantly for West Ham and Bournemouth, before heading for the North American Soccer League and Seattle Sounders, where he played and coached.

Jones started his playing career as a trainee with Everton and progressed during his seven years at Goodison Park, representing England Under-21s. Jones, a full-back, joined Coventry and later played for Seiko in Hong Kong and Preston after overcoming a serious knee injury.

LEAGUE FORM

Redknapp has collected a fine squad of players at Fratton Park and Pompey have been in the hunt for a European spot for much of the league campaign. The FA Cup run has arguably hampered their league performances, though.

Cardiff have had a reasonable season as Jones wrings what he can from a limited budget but their slim play-off ambitions were ended as their league form fizzled out, eventually finshing 12th