Avram Grant 'right man' for Portsmouth

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 23:00

FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant is being backed to lift Portsmouth up the table after it was confirmed he will succeed Paul Hart at Fratton Park.

Hart was sacked on Tuesday with the club rooted to the foot of the Barclays Premier League with only seven points from 13 games.

Grant will take charge for the first time on Saturday for the home game against Manchester United.

Former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, now in a similar role at Leicester, believes the 54-year-old is the right man.

He said: "I am delighted for Avram and the supporters as they deserve a team in the Premier League. He is the best solution. He is a very proud man, who has ability and experience.

"They (Portsmouth] have enough good players and with Avram organising them they have a very good chance of getting out of trouble."

Grant will no doubt be hoping to turn the tables on United as his last game in charge of Chelsea was the Champions League final of 2008. It ended in agony for the Israeli with his side losing on penalties in Moscow.

Portsmouth have no doubts Grant can rally the players. Chief executive officer Peter Storrie said: "Avram is a very experienced and respected manager who has managed at the highest level.

"The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

"He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move to make him the next manager, once the board had decided to relieve Paul Hart of the role."

Former England midfielder Paul Merson, who had a spell at Portsmouth, fears for the club's status.

He said: "Paul Hart brought players in who were out of favour at their clubs and gave them a second chance. He gave them an unbelievable opportunity to play in the best league in the world. Now he is gone I am worried for Portsmouth.

"I could see them getting out of trouble, now I am not so sure."