Avram Grant frontrunner for Portsmouth manager

Avram Grant is the favourite to become Portsmouth manager after Paul Hart was sacked on Tuesday.

The Israeli recently returned to the club as Director of Football, although he awaits a work permit, which is expected to before the weekend clash against Manchester United.

The match would see a fairytale return for Grant, should he be appointed manager, as it would give him the opportunity to avenge the 2008 Champions League final defeat in Moscow, when United beat Grant’s Chelsea on penalties.

Portsmouth are expected to hold a board meeting today and are keen to name Hart’s successor before the United match.

Mark Jacob, a director at Portsmouth, said: “It was not an easy decision to take [to sack Hart]. But the fact was our results haven't been good enough.

"We believe we have the ideal man to remedy the situation in Avram and are still waiting for confirmation of his work permit.

"He will take charge of team affairs as soon as that is in place. Until then, first-team coaches Ian Woan and Paul Groves will be in charge.”

Darren Ferguson, recently sacked by Peterborough, and Alan Curbishley, the former Charlton and West Ham manager, are also on the list.