Pompey to take time over new boss

Portsmouth will not rush to appoint Harry Redknapp's successor after his decision to take charge at Tottenham following Juande Ramos's dismissal.

"We'll take a deep breath and then have some conversations over the next few days," Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It's only right and proper that we think about this and then go forward.

"It has been such a shock and it all happened so quickly that it's not something we have thought about."

He added: "I have obviously spoken to (owner) Sacha (Gaydamak) and it will be decided between him and me - with my recommendation."


Tony Adams, Redknapp's long-term assistant, and first-team coach Joe Jordan took charge of the team for Sunday's 1-1 draw against Fulham at Fratton Park.

Ex-Arsenal defender Adams, Jordan, former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant are among the contenders to take the job full time, but Storrie refused to provide any clues.

Redknapp has already put in a good word for Adams and Jordan.

"I spoke to Peter about it and said 'you've got Joe and Tony, and they are both terrific guys'," Redknapp said.

"Joe is very experienced, Tony is up-and-coming in the managerial game and works very hard. I don't think either of them would do any harm, for sure."

Redknapp rejected an approach by Newcastle in January to replace Allardyce.

And Storrie said he wished something similar had happened when Tottenham came calling.

"Nothing would have given me greater pleasure if Harry had rung me on Saturday night and said 'Look Peter, I've thought it over and I want to stay', like he did with Newcastle.

"But on this occasion the lure of Tottenham was too much."

Storrie insisted there were no financial problems at the club and that decisions would continue to be driven by owner Alexandre Gaydamak.

"In the summer we sold Sulley Muntari for a club-record fee and sold Pedro Mendes but used most of that money in bringing in Peter Crouch and Younes Kaboul and a couple of loan players," he said.

"If we were to sell players we would re-invest and bring other players in. We've got a very, very good squad here, a quality side and when January comes we'll approach it then.

"Sacha Gaydamak has owned this club for two-and-a-half years and has continued to put finance into the club to bring in players.

"It will be his decision in January whether he wants to continue that growth and expand."

Meanwhile, Jordan expressed his surprise at the speed of Redknapp's departure, while also wishing hm the best.

"It was a bit of a shock I must admit, but Harry is a good manager and you expect that good managers will be wanted by big clubs," said Jordan.

"The speed of it has surprised a lot of people and it was a shock to me."

Jordan added: "I think it is important that they can get the right man.

"They've got to take a deep breath and take stock of events over the past 24 hours and then take things from there."

Crouch joined Portsmouth from Liverpool in the summer, but the England striker said he did not feel let down by Redknapp's departure.

"He was a big reason why I came to the club, but I'll move on and I wish him all the best," said Crouch, who scored against Fulham.

"It was a complete shock and I would have loved him to remain at Portsmouth.

"But Tottenham are a massive club, I did my YTS there so I know how big a club it is and if he can get them to where they should be that would be fantastic.

"These things happen in football so I am never that surprised. We will carry on regardless and continue our good season."