Shadow over Smith future

JIM SMITH’S future as assistant manager at Portsmouth is in doubt as the fall-out from executive director Velimir Zajec’s appointment continues.

Smith refused to talk yesterday about newspaper reports claiming he would leave Pompey this week.

He said: “I do not want to comment on my future. Not yet anyway.”

However, the 64-year-old has become unsettled since chairman Milan Mandaric appointed former Panathinaikos director of football Zajec to the board.

Manager Harry Redknapp and Mandaric had a public row when Smith’s future was under discussion last season. The chairman even alleged it was Redknapp who wanted rid of the former Portsmouth manager, known as the ‘Bald Eagle’.

Portsmouth have lost their last three Premiership games - after beating Manchester United - and been shattered by injuries.