HARRY Redknapp believes Kevin Bond fully deserves to stay in charge of Southend United.

Bond, who remains in contract discussions with the Shrimpers, successfully kept the club in League One after taking over for the final six matches last term.

And former Tottenham Hotspur boss Redknapp believes his former assistant manager should be given the chance to build on his good work.

“I thought Kevin did an amazing job and he absolutely deserves the chance there now,” said Redknapp.

“When he went in the team had been on a bad run but he got a great win against Burton who were in incredible form and then also beat Sunderland which takes some doing.

“He ended up with eight points from the six games and it would have been 10 if it hadn’t been for that penalty at Walsall which was daylight robbery really but he kept them up and I was so happy for everyone at the club.”

However, Blues will now be determined to feature far higher up the table next term.

And Redknapp feels Bond’s work ethic could help that happen.

“Nobody would work harder than Kevin,” said Redknapp.

“He will give absolutely everything to it and be incredibly dedicated.

“He spends hours studying footage of everything and he did such a good job for me wherever we went.”

And Redknapp is also certain the contacts Bond made during that time will also stand him in good stead with the Shrimpers.

“Kevin knows the game and he has great contacts too,” said Redknapp.

“He will be able to use the loan market well and he will know he must strengthen the squad for Southend to be higher up the table next season.”

However, should Bond, as is expected, get the job then Redknapp may not be such a frequent visitor to Roots Hall.

“Kevin’s my mate so I’ll come and support him but maybe not to places as far away as Rochdale next season,” said Redknapp, who was a regular during the Shrimpers’ run in.

“I really got caught up in it all last season but I think I’ll pick and choose my games a bit more carefully next season.”