The 61-year-old was met with loud boos from the public and shouts of 'Judas' as he walked up the steps of The Guildhall in the south coast city.

The east Londoner left Portsmouth late on Saturday to take over at English Premier League strugglers Spurs in a shock move.

But he returned to receive an honour from Portsmouth City Council after guiding Pompey to victory in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May, where a 1-0 win over Cardiff City gave the club its first major trophy since 1950.

Despite Redknapp's sudden departure and the risk of a negative reception, the council decided to proceed with the honour.

Portsmouth unveiled Redknapp's former assistant Tony Adams as their new manager just an hour before the ceremony began.

'My timing has never been very good and, this week, it could never have been worse,' said Redknapp, who on Sunday guided Spurs to their first league win this season.

'It's a great honour to receive this award, but I was only a member of a team. The fans are absolutely fantastic, but, most importantly, we assembled an amazing football team. The talent that is at this football club is top class.

'I'm sure with the players, the chairman and the support the club has, the club will only keep going forwards. I really do appreciate everyone turning up today and being so kind.'

Security staff escorted one heckler from the public gallery but the majority applauded Redknapp and one woman yelled: 'We love you, Harry.'

Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson voiced the city's gratitude to Redknapp for guiding the team into the Premier League and winning the FA Cup for the first time since 1939.

'This is a very different speech from one I had planned. It is only right and proper to say that this would have been a speech about celebration and thanks,' he said. 'It still is - winning the FA Cup was a great feat, but it must now also be about sadness and goodbyes.'

'Harry has had a huge impact on this city. I was thinking, what do I call him?' A heckler then shouted: 'Judas'.

Mr Vernon-Jackson continued: 'Is it Mr Redknapp or Mr Harry Redknapp? But no, to everyone here in Portsmouth, he is just Harry.

'Six hundred million people around the world watched us win the FA Cup. Around the world, people saw Portsmouth and they saw us win.

'It put us on the map and the pride of the city when the cup came home here to Portsmouth was a wonder to behold.'

The ceremony saw the FA Cup being escorted in by a Royal Navy guard, accompanied by music from military bands, and a guard of honour formed by 12 Portsmouth FC mascots.

The council is still considering whether to rename one of the Guildhall clock bells that play the Pompey Chimes after Redknapp.

The chimes are the origin of the 'Play up Pompey, Pompey play up' chant sung by fans.

The freedom of the naval city dates back to a tradition which gave a military unit 'freedom of entry with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, a band playing and colours flying'.

Redknapp could be forgiven for wanting to put the full honour into effect the next time Tottenham visit Fratton Park. -- AFP