Struggling Pompey sack Hart

PORTSMOUTH could have their next manager in place for Saturday’s home clash with Manchester United after Paul Hart was dismissed by the south coast club.

The club already have an ideal replacement for Hart at the club, after bringing in former Chelsea manager Avram Grant as director of football last month. Pompey intend to make a swift appointment, however, last night Grant reportedly ruled himself out of the running to succeed Hart.

Coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan have been put in temporary charge of the Portsmouth first team.

Hart, the former Nottingham Forest and Barnsley boss, left Fratton Park with Portsmouth at the foot of the Premier League, after taking just seven points from 13 matches. They were beaten 1-0 at Stoke on Sunday and are four points adrift of safety.

The club said Hart had turned down the role of technical director, with responsibility for players aged 18 to 21. However, sources close to Hart insist he did not decline the role, but asked for some time to think about it. He was then informed his contract had been terminated.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said: “Paul has worked under very difficult circumstances with the financial restrictions the club has faced since he took over. However, the board feels that the team should have accrued more points to date and that we need a new man in charge to ensure Premier League survival.”