Pompey return for Grant

Portsmouth have named the former Chelsea manager Avram Grant as their new director of football.

Grant had a spell at Fratton Park as technical director in 2006 during Harry Redknapp's time as manager before taking over in the Chelsea hot-seat when Jose Mourinho left the club in September 2007.

He guided the Blues to the Champions League Final in May 2008 but his services were dispensed with after the shoot-out defeat to Manchester United.

The Israeli joins a club that lost their opening seven Premier League games of the season before beating Wolves 1-0 at Molineux on Saturday.

Saudi tycoon Ali Al-Faraj assumed control of the club earlier this week, replacing Sulaiman Al Fahim, whose own takeover was only finalised in August.

Meanwhile, chief executive Peter Storrie insists Paul Hart will remain as manager despite the recent turmoil that has enveloped the south coast club.

Storrie said: "Paul's going nowhere. He's done a tremendous job throughout and been an absolute brick.

"Now people are starting to see what a shrewd manager he really is. Tactically he's getting it right and is nurturing the team.

"I think everyone involved in the club saw the victory against Wolves coming. It was an excellent performance against Everton the week before and we were unlucky not to have come away from that with a point.

"The eight or nine players signed before the transfer window closed have now settled and I think we've got a real balance to the side.

"So much for people having a go about supposedly having Championship players in the team. I don't think that can be said anymore. It takes time for a team to gel.

"Paul Hart has done a terrific job and will continue to be manager. He's done fantastically well in incredibly difficult circumstances. I'm very confident for the future of the club."