Pompey want new coach by April

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has stressed his desire to appoint a head coach with a proven track record by the end of next month to oversee team affairs.

Executive director Velimir Zajec and coach Joe Jordan are currently running the day-to-day business of the first team but this was only ever meant to be a temporary arrangement following the resignation of Harry Redknapp last November.

The name of out-of-work Gordon Strachan has again been linked with the club despite the former manager of south-coast arch-rivals Southampton turning down an approach earlier this season.

Ex-Chelsea and Valencia boss Claudio Ranieri has also been touted for a return to the Premiership with the Saints and while both men have the necessary credentials, Mandaric would not shed any light on who his intended targets may be.

“In relation to Velimir Zajec returning to his original role of overseeing the whole structure of the club we are confident of announcing a successor coach before this current season ends,” he told the club’s website, www.pompeyfc.co.uk.

“Velimir has compiled a short list of individuals and I will join in the latter stages of this when he is close to deciding the right man.

“This man will have a proven track record in top-flight football and we hope to have him in place before the end of April.

“We want this so the guy can have input into the quality players we will be in for during the summer.”