Darren Ferguson has been installed as the 6/4 favourtite to succeed Paul Hart has Pompey manager, but there are some other high-profile candidates in the wings as the club ponder appointing their third manager in a little over 12 months.

The former Peterborough boss, and son of Sir Alex, left the London Road club 'by mutual consent' earlier this month amid speculation he had been tapped up for a more high profile job.

Ferguson Jnr had guided Posh to two successive promotions, although they were finding life in the Championship tough and sat bottom of the league when he left. However, he is still regarded as one of the brightest emerging managers.

Avram Grant, who guided Chelsea to the Champions League final last season, remains the obvious choice for many, having been brought in as Director of Football in October, although work permit complications have prevented him taking up his post to date.

One name coming up on the rails is Italian Roberto Mancini, who was strongly linked with a move to Fratton Park in the summer. Article continues here

That was at the height of Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover bid, and the former Inter boss did meet with Pompey officials in Paris, but no deal was agreed and Pompey decided to stick with Hart in the end.

Mancini is still looking for a club however and made it clear last week his next destination would be the Premier League.

Alan Curbishley and Steve Coppell remain options, but the pair are probably outsiders compared to the above candidates.

Mark Jacob, who represents owner Ali Al Faraj, refused to be drawn on the speculation: 'Whether he [Grant] is offered the job or not is another matter; that is something the board is going to be discussing," he told the Guardian, also dismissing links to Ferguson and Grant..

"We want to act in the long-term interests. Unfortunately too many clubs make short-term appointments which they think will get them out of a hole," he added.

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