Portsmouth beat Leeds United 6-1 at Fratton Park on this day in 2003. So, where are Harry Redknapp’s XI from their win now – including interim AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil?
The south coast side needed just 16 minutes to go ahead as Dejan Stefanovic met a Patrick Berger corner. But Alan Smith replied for the Whites within 120 seconds despite Pompey’s early dominance. O’Neil would then restore Portsmouth’s lead on the stroke of the break.
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O’Neil ensured Portsmouth returned to the dressing rooms ahead as his 20-yard volley hit Dominic Matteo on its route to the goal. Hayden Foxe later ended the steady pace to start the second half with a volley just after the hour mark before O’Neil scored his second goal.
Berger set O’Neil up for both of his strikes and soon turned goalscorer after rounding Paul Robinson to slot home. Yakubu Aiyegbeni then got in on the act with five minutes to play to leave Leeds bottom of the table. Portsmouth were seven points better off to sit in 11th.
Portsmouth’s 6-1 win over Leeds on November 8, 2003 was just one of two wins Pompey took from 14 Premier League games between August 27 to Christmas day. Redknapp’s side would end the campaign in 13th place, while the Whites endured relegation down in 19th.
So, 19 years on from Portsmouth beating Leeds 6-1 on this day in 2003, HITC Football has taken a look at where those from Redknapp’s XI from the Premier League match are now…
Shaka Hislop (GK): The ESPN pundit started as Portsmouth beat Leeds 6-1 in 2003
Shaka Hislop spent three seasons at Portsmouth between 2002 and 2005 for 100 games in all competitions. The former Reading, Newcastle United and West Ham United goalkeeper and Trinidad and Tobago international retired in 2007 and now works as a pundit for ESPN.
Sebastien Schemmel (RB): The former Portsmouth defender became a restaurateur
Redknapp reunited with Sebastien Schemmel at Portsmouth during 2003 after signing the right-back for West Ham. The Frenchman stayed at Fratton Park to 2005 and a move to Le Havre before retiring that June. He later moved to Luxembourg and opened a restaurant.
Arjan de Zeeuw (CB): The defender is now a detective with the Dutch police
Portsmouth employed Arjan de Zeeuw from 2002 to 2005 before the Dutchman returned to Wigan Athletic. He later retired in 2009 and walked away from football to return to the Netherlands. De Zeeuw became a detective in the police force back in his home country.
Hayden Foxe (CB): The injury-hit defender turned to coaching after his retirement
Foxe played at Portsmouth from 2002 to 2005 and went on to join Leeds for the 2006/07 season. The 15-cap ex-Australia centre-half retired in 2011 and turned to coaching after an injury-hit career. A raft of issues meant he played in 10 Premier League games at Pompey.
Dejan Stefanovic (LB): An injury forced the defender to retire initially
Stefanovic spent four seasons with Portsmouth between 2003 and 2007 before spells with Fulham and Norwich City. But a serious knee injury forced him to retire in November 2008. Yet the defender briefly returned to the pitch at Havant and Waterlooville during 2010/11.
Steve Stone (RM): The ex-Portsmouth and Leeds star became a coach in 2007
Steve Stone enjoyed spells at Portsmouth (2002-05) and Leeds (2005-06) before becoming a coach. The 51-year-old hung up his boots after a term at Elland Road before working as Newcastle’s U18, reserve and first-team assistant and Burnley’s U21 and first-team coach.
The former midfielder left Turf Moor this April after the Clarets sacked Sean Dyche. It was Stone’s only season working with the senior fold at the club after becoming Dyche’s right-hand man. Burnley had won four of their 30 Premier League games when the pair exited.
Gary O’Neil (CM): Delight for the interim Bournemouth boss as Portsmouth beat Leeds
It was double-delight for O’Neil as Portsmouth beat Leeds 6-1 on this day in 2003. The 39-year-old was a product of Pompey’s academy and stayed at the club until 2007. He would not retire until 2019 before becoming a coach as the assistant U23s manager at Liverpool.
Jonathan Woodgate would later lure O’Neil back to the south coast in 2021 as his assistant at Bournemouth. Scott Parker then kept the former midfielder on as his number two. Now, O’Neil sits in the Cherries’ hot seat as their interim boss after succeeding Parker in August.
Tim Sherwood (CM): Sky Sports now hires the former Tottenham boss as a pundit
Sky Sports now hires Tim Sherwood as a pundit following the ex-Portsmouth midfielder’s brief managerial career. He played at Fratton Park for just the 2003/04 season and retired in 2005. Redknapp would late hire him as an assistant coach at Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.
A spell as Andre Villas-Boas’ number two followed for Sherwood before he succeeded the Portuguese in charge in December 2013. But the 53-year-old only managed 28 games and later only oversaw 28 in charge of Aston Villa during 2015 – his most recent coaching role.
Patrik Berger (LM): The Liverpool ambassador won the 2000/01 FA Cup with the Reds
Berger joined Portsmouth from Liverpool in 2003 after a successful spell at Anfield. He left Merseyside after lifting an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, a UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. The Reds later hired the 48-year-old as an ambassador who also plays in charity matches.
Teddy Sheringham (ST): The Manchester United hero is now a pundit
Teddy Sheringham now works as a pundit following a string of brief managerial attempts. The Manchester United hero – who lifted three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the Championship League – was Stevenage’s head coach in 2015-16 and ATK’s in 2017 to 18.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni (ST): The Nigeria hero established an agency in 2018
Yakubu remained connected to football after retiring in 2017 by becoming an agent. The 57-cap Nigeria striker established Wilbury Sports Management in January 2018. He had played upfront for almost 20 years and enjoyed stints with Portsmouth, Everton and Leicester City.
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