It will be the first time Redknapp returns to Fratton Park since leaving Portsmouth to join Tottenham 12 months ago.
He said: “I see Portsmouth supporters every day at the petrol station driving down from where I live. I have people painting my house at the moment who are Pompey-mad. They’re as good as gold.
“They’re not lunatics. They’re not a bunch of nutters. They are all being labelled as a bunch of maniacs. They’re not. They are good people.
“You’ll always have some big mouths there but it shows you what a good job I must have done that they are so upset that I left.
“Normally they are pleased to get rid of you when you leave. I went there when they were bottom of the league with the worst team we have seen in the Premier League. Whoever assembled that lot God only knows!”
He added: “The opportunity came to manage a great club. I left them with a great team of players, players worth absolute fortunes that they sold for fantastic money.
“I loved my time at Portsmouth and I love it here. I speak to Avram Grant all the time. I took Paul Hart there to do the academy. I’ve got loads of mates there.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them. I’m not going to worry about the odd few idiots who want to shout. It won’t affect me one iota.
“The only thing I’ll lose sleep over is if we get beat. I’m not bothered if people are so stupid they want to shout abuse.”
