SOCCER: Tony Adams has revealed he was "surprised" to be sacked as manager of Portsmouth. The former England and Arsenal defender lost his job in the wake of the weekend defeat to Liverpool, which left Pompey slipping ever nearer to the relegation zone.
Adams had wanted longer to build his team, having only taken charge at Fratton Park in October following Harry Redknapp’s resignation to take up a new role as manager of Tottenham.
“I am a little bit surprised but results haven’t been good,” said Adam on BBC today. “I haven’t had a lot of time and I certainly haven’t had the financial backing. We’ve had a few injuries as well and that’s tough to take.”
The Portsmouth board confirmed Adams’ departure “with immediate effect” this morning.
The struggling Barclays Premier League club lost 3-2 to Liverpool on Saturday after conceding two late goals, and first-team coach John Metgod was also dismissed today.
The club’s director of youth operations, former Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart, has been installed as caretaker manager.
A Portsmouth spokesman said: “The owner and the board feel they have been as supportive as they can during a period where results have been poor. The team has played well but too many points have been dropped from winning positions.
“Notwithstanding the adverse economic conditions the board remains committed to the continued growth and development of the club for the future, building on its achievements of the last three years.
“The priority is for Portsmouth Football Club to remain in the top flight and we feel the appointment of a new manager will give us the best opportunity to enable us to do this.
“Paul Hart knows the football club, having joined us nearly two years ago, and is a respected coach with managerial experience.”
Owner Alexandre Gaydamak is keen to sell Portsmouth and in December stated he could “no longer invest the time required to oversee the running of the club”.
Preserving Portsmouth’s top-flight status is a clear priority, and would ensure the club retains its worth to potential investors.
Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, who prior to his stint at Stamford Bridge worked at Portsmouth as technical director, has been linked with a return to the club as a replacement for Adams.
Former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has also been suggested as a possible successor to the 42-year-old who lasted less than four months in his first frontline managerial post in the Premier League.
Adams steered Portsmouth to just two league wins, against Sunderland and Blackburn, and saw star players Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra leave the club in big-money transfers.
Portsmouth’s next match sees Manchester City visit Fratton Park on Saturday.
