Crossing the divide: four managers who have risked 'Judas' jibes from former fans

7:57AM BST 13 Jun 2011Comments RON SAUNDERSWho was involved? Aston Villa and BirminghamHow did it happen? Saunders had won promotion and the League Cup at Villa in 1975, and the league title in 1981. But he walked out a year later after a contract dispute.What was the reaction? Villa were stunned the club was in the European Cup quarter-finals at the time. Was it a success? Birmingham's initial mistrust was not helped by relegation in 1984, but Saunders took them back at the first attempt.Judas factor: 3/5 ---------------------GRORGE GRAHAMWho was involved? Arsenal and TottenhamHow did it happen? Spurs were in need of a steadying hand in 1998 after a dismal spell and Graham, despite his Arsenal links, was a pragmatic choice.What was the reaction? Peeved Tottenham fans serenaded Graham with choruses of 'Man in a raincoat's blue and white army'. Graham himself was nonplussed: 'If I was a Spurs fan, I'd just want a winning team,' he said.Was it a success? He won the 1999 League Cup but was sacked in 2001.Judas factor: 4/5 ---------------------HARRY REDKNAPPWho was involved? Portsmouth and SouthamptonHow did it happen? Redknapp, piqued by Portsmouth's appointment of Velimir Zajec as director of football, walked out in November 2004 and took over at Southampton just weeks later.What was the reaction? Portsmouth fans were furious and accused Redknapp of treachery. Was it a success? A disaster. Southampton were relegated and Redknapp compounded the ill feeling by returning to Portsmouth in 2005. Judas factor: 5/5---------------------LEONARDOWho was involved? AC Milan and Inter MilanHow did it happen? Inter fired Rafael Benítez last December and Leonardo, who had left Milan at the end of the previous season, was a quick fix.What was the reaction? Leonardo called the move 'a dream', although Milan's fans were less impressed. Was it a success? Leonardo's Milan links were quickly forgotten as he collected 33 points from 13 games, but they were thrashed in the Champions League and failed to win the Scudetto.Judas factor: 4/5.at15t_email {display:none !important;}ul li.email span.at300bs {display:none !important;} X

Source: Telegraph