Portsmouth have offered Avram Grant the manager’s position and the Israeli could make up his mind as early as Wednesday, according to reports.

Grant, who became Director of Football at the club in October, could be in the dugout for Pompey’s weekend Premier League clash with Manchester United.

Paul Hart was shown the door on Tuesday, with Portsmouth bottom of the Premier League table having gained only 7 points from 13 games.

The south coast side are awaiting confirmation of Grant’s work permit, which is expected to be a formality. He is the bookmaker’s favourite for the post.

“There will be a board meeting on Thursday and I would expect an appointment to be made then or on Friday at the latest,” a club source told ESPN Soccernet.

“I really cannot see any name in the frame other than Avram.

“I have no idea where Darren Ferguson’s name came from, and I can see the bookies have made him favourite, but it is not something that has been suggested.

“The new owners brought Avram here in case results didn’t go well and, the last two games, the team were back into a losing streak.

“It comes a point where you have got to act, otherwise you end up with the West Brom syndrome, playing well each week, losing and going down.”

The source also indicated that Paul Hart could stay on in some capacity: “However, Paul Hart did a fabulous job under difficult circumstances and no one wants to see him leave.”

from: Goal.com