Exclusive: Teddy Sheringham issues honest admission on Portsmouth, West Ham situation | OneFootball

Teddy Sheringham has admitted that Portsmouth probably made the right decision to release him back in 2004, speaking candidly to Football League World about his exit.

The striker looked to be entering the latter stages of his career when he made the switch to Fratton Park in 2003, joining on a free transfer after Tottenham Hotspur didn't renew his deal.

He was 37 at the time of his move to the south coast, but he still managed to remain in the Premier League.

However, that wasn't a surprise, with Sherringham managing to register 12 goals in 36 top-flight appearances for Spurs during the 2002/03 season.

Getting into double figures for goals in the top tier during the three campaigns prior to his move to the south coast, he looked set to be a very decent addition for Pompey, with then-manager Harry Redknapp managing to convince the experienced forward to make this move.

He did very well during the early stages of his time under Redknapp, scoring five goals in his opening five league matches, with his hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers in a 4-0 win perhaps the highlight of his stay at the club.

However, the striker was unable to score consistently during the second half of the 2003/04 campaign, although he was able to score his last goal for the club on the final day of the season against Middlesbrough.

Being released at the end of that term, he could leave Fratton Park with his head held high.

Teddy Sheringham on his Portsmouth exit and West Ham arrival

After being released by Pompey, he went on to join his boyhood club West Ham United, who were in the Championship when he signed for them.

Playing a big part in guiding the Irons back to the top flight during his first season at Upton Park, his departure from Fratton Park didn't prove to be a disaster for him, with the player going on to enjoy success after his exit from the south coast.

Asked whether his move away from Fratton Park proved to be a blessing in disguise in the end, Sheringham told FLW, via TG Casino: "I loved my time down there, Harry Redknapp was the manager. He has a very uncanny way of putting teams together that entertain.

"He's always loved a solid team, but a bit of flair in the team and a number 10 that just floats around.

"He's had people like Paul Merson, (Eyal) Berkovic, myself, (Paolo) Di Canio, all very different ways of playing number 10. The kind of player that helps the team tick.

"It was perfect for me at the time I went down there, I loved it. But it was getting tough in those days, had a fantastic start but it was hard work all the way through the season for me and it was probably the right move for the club to release me.

"And then when West Ham came along, I was delighted to go there as well."

Teddy Sheringham's Portsmouth exit worked out well for him

Sheringham clearly enjoyed himself at Pompey - and it was a shame for the forward that he only spent one season there.

At the time, Fratton Park was a good place to be and with the Englishman doing well during the early stages of 2003/04, he will be disappointed about the fact he was unable to shine as much during the second half of the campaign.

Scoring 10 goals in 38 appearances for Pompey, that is a respectable record and he can afford to look back on his time on the south coast with fondness.

However, the opportunity to make the move to Upton Park after being released was an excellent one.

And with Sheringham proving to be a success in East London, he won't be too sad about how things played out.