Portsmouth (4/9 To Be Relegated) have handed former Chelsea boss Avram Grant the job of trying to keep them in the Premier League this season.

The 54-year-old returned to Pompey as director of football last month but has now been drafted in as manager to succeed Paul Hart who was sacked earlier in the week after winning just two league matches all season.

The Fratton Park outfit currently prop up the table, with champions Manchester United making the long trip south on Saturday as Grant resumes his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ironically, Grant’s last game in charge was the Champions League final in Moscow in 2008 when the Red Devils beat Chelsea on penalties.

Portsmouth chief executive officer Peter Storrie said: “Avram is a very experienced and respected manager who has managed at the highest level. The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

“He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move to make him the next manager, once the board had decided to relieve Paul Hart of the role.

“He will take charge of training on Friday alongside first-team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan.”