Struggling Portsmouth part company with boss Paul Hart

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart has left the Premier League's basement club with immediate effect.

Theclub said the decision to relieve him of his duties had been "madereluctantly based on results that leave Pompey at the bottom of theleague".

Hart, 56, was offered a role as technical director responsible for players aged 18-21, but declined it.

Coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan take temporary charge, with director of football Avram Grant tipped to be boss.

FormerChelsea boss Grant, 54, returned to Pompey in October, but the Israeliis currently awaiting a work permit and has yet to formally take up hisduties.

Pompey expect the permit to be processed within the next few days.

Grant worked in a similar role previously at Fratton Park before joining the Stamford Bridge club in the same capacity.

He then succeeded Jose Mourinho and guided Chelsea to the ChampionsLeague final where they lost on penalties to Manchester United.

Chiefexecutive Peter Storrie admitted Hart had "worked under very difficultcircumstances with the financial restrictions the club has faced sincehe took over.

"However, the board feels that the team shouldhave accrued more points to date and that we need a new man in chargeto ensure Premier League survival.

"The board would like tothank Paul for his work not only in keeping the club in the PremierLeague last season but also for his time in charge of youthdevelopment.

"Paul is a man of great dignity and we hoped hewould stay and help us develop younger players on the fringes of thefirst team.

"We are genuinely sad to see him leave. Everyone at the club wishes him well for the future."

Hartstepped up from his position as director of youth operations to becomecaretaker manager following the sacking of Tony Adams in February 2009.

He kept Portsmouth in the top flight last season and was appointed on a permanent basis in May.

But Portsmouth lost several high-profile players over the summer, and the team made a poor start to the current campaign.

However,Hart was working under severe financial restraints due to uncertaintyover the club's ownership which left it on the verge of going intoadministration.

Arab businessman Sulaiman Al Fahim purchasedPortsmouth in August but failed to deliver fresh investment, with theplayers' wages not paid on time in September.

He then sold hismajority shareholding to Saudi tycoon Ali Al Faraj in October, butHart's hopes for stability were then hit by the Premier League placinga transfer embargo on Pompey over debts owed to other clubs.

Edited November 24, 2009 by sam81292

[ChelseaChick 430]

Ah it was probably best! Avram would be a great replacement!

[Drogba11CFC 108]

Ahem...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1231115/Avram-Grant-named-Portsmouth-manager--Manchester-United-Paul-Harts-successor.html

[Steve 10,227]

do us a favour avram

[ZanSnake 1,211]

He is/was a crap manager and always has been. The dude failed at Nottm Forest and he failed at Poertsmouth, no wonder why there was a whole decade from him leaving chesterfeild and becoming Nottm Forest manager. His win ratio has never peaked over the 35 mark which is a disgrace for a Premier League manager, good riddance and good luck to Avram. Let's hope he cam start the balll rolling with a win

[northernblue 2]

Hart wasn't out of a job for long, according to this football blog he has gone to crazy club QPR with Mick Harford, can't see him being there for long though, Briatore has gone through something like 7 managers in two years since the takeover!!!!

Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire!!