Hart could stay with Portsmouth

Sacked Portsmouth manager Paul Hart could yet stay at Fratton Park by accepting an alternative role he had seemingly rejected, the English Premier League basement club said Wednesday.

Hart became on Tuesday the first manager in English football’s top flight to lose his job this season.

Portsmouth, who have won just twice in the league this term, are three points adrift at the bottom of the table and have the daunting task of hosting champions Manchester United on Saturday.

Hart, previously best known for his work with young players, including at Portsmouth, was offered the role of technical director, developing players from the age of 18-21, but the club said Tuesday he had declined the post.

However, on Wednesday, a spokesman for the south coast side said: “Paul Hart is considering the position of technical director.

“He had a further conversation with (chief executive) Peter Storrie last (Tuesday) night and said he would go away and get back to us.

“Hopefully he will stay at the club and work in the capacity of technical director. Everyone at the club would be delighted if he stayed.”

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant would appear the natural successor to Hart given the Israeli returned to Portsmouth for a second spell as director of football in October.

He took charge of Chelsea in similar circumstances two years ago and went on to lead the London club to the Champions League final.

Other candidates for the post include Alan Curbishley and Steve Coppell as well as Darren Ferguson, son of Manchester United manager Sir Alex, who recently exited second-tier Peterborough United after guiding the club to two successive promotions.