Redknapp backs new Addicks boss

Harry Redknapp believes new manager Alan Pardew can revive Charlton's season and save the Addicks from relegation.

Pardew was installed at The Valley on Sunday, as head coach Les Reed departed after just 41 days in charge. Portsmouth manager Redknapp engineered a turnaround in the south-coast club's fortunes last season when he moved in at Fratton Park in December, and Pardew has a similar timescale in which to save second-bottom Charlton from the drop.

"Alan is an excellent manager and he's played there, he knows the club, and he's got a chance as well," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "They're not dead and buried. We were in a worse position I thought last year when I went back to Portsmouth so he can turn it around."

Reed's fate was sealed by Saturday's Barclays Premiership defeat at Middlesbrough, which followed a Carling Cup quarter-final defeat to League Two side Wycombe.

Redknapp was nonetheless shocked by the announcement, which came on Christmas Eve.

He added: "It was a surprise but obviously they decided they needed to do something and they've made a good appointment."