Former Chelsea chief Avram Grant and recently sacked Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson are emerging as the leading candidates to become the new Portsmouth manager, following Paul Hart's abrupt departure.

Although Portsmouth are languishing at the foot of the English Premier League, Hart's sacking has reportedly angered some of Portsmouth's players.

Midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng said: “I’m shocked, especially as I had a good relationship with the manager.

“He brought me to the club and helped revive my career. That was the same with a lot of the players."

“I have spoken to a few of the lads and we all feel sorry for him. A lot has happened over the last few months with players not getting paid and people from outside the club hammering us.

”Paul tried his best to keep the players together and persuade them to give 100 per cent."

"I am very upset because it is easy to blame the manager. If we lose a game we get changed and go home and life goes on but he gets sacked. It’s not fair.”

“Nobody in the dressing room was talking about him getting the sack and even in training this morning he was normal."

Pompey's veteran Icelandic defender Herman Hreidarsson said: “I am shocked. I like Paul and I really did not see this coming.”