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Official: Paul Hart Sacked By Portsmouth
Pompey boss "relieved of his duties" at Fratton Park...
24-Nov-2009 11:47:43 PM
Portsmouth have today sacked Paul Hart as manager of the club.
The club have also, according to Sky Sports News, moved quickly to dispel media reports that Avram Grant is set to take over.
Pompey have struggled on all kinds of levels so far this campaign, after a tumultuous summer in which they had to endure a messy and somewhat embarrassing takeover saga, went close to administration and almost failed to pay their players one month.
They have struggled to achieve victories this season, though performances have been better than results suggest, and remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League with only seven points from 13 games.
A statement on the club's official website reads:
"Portsmouth Football Club can confirm that Paul Hart has been relieved of his duties as first-team manager.
"The decision has been made reluctantly by the board and is based on results that leave the club at the bottom of the Premier League.
"Paul was offered the role of technical director, developing players from the ages of 18-21, but declined the position.
"The club plans to announce a replacement very quickly and until that time the players will be led by first team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan."
Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie was also sad to see Hart depart.
"Paul has worked under very difficult circumstances with the financial restrictions the club has faced since he took over," he 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.
"The board would like to thank Paul for his work not only in keeping the club in the Premier League last season but also for his time in charge of youth development.
"Paul is a man of great dignity and we hoped he would stay and help us develop younger players on the fringes of the first team. We are genuinely sad to see him leave. Everyone at the club wishes him well for the future."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK
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