Paul Hart became the first English Premier League manager to lose his job this season after he was “relieved of his duties” by basement club Portsmouth on Tuesday.
Portsmouth 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 to 21, but the club said he had declined the post.
PHOTO: AFP
Portsmouth said they planned to announce a replacement “very quickly” but, until that time first-team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan would be in charge.
The south coast club have been beset by off-field problems this term.
Last month, Saudi Arabian businessman Ali al-Faraj took over the club from former owner Sulaiman al-Fahim, who himself only assumed control in August.
Meanwhile, the Premier League imposed a transfer ban on Portsmouth because of concerns regarding unpaid fees to other clubs.
Then last month, chief executive Peter Storrie was charged with tax evasion.
“Paul has worked under very difficult circumstances with the financial restrictions the club has faced since he took over,” Storrie said. “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.”
Hart won only nine of his 29 games in charge at Fratton Park.
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