London - Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant was confirmed as Portsmouth manager on Thursday. He replaces Paul Hart, who was sacked earlier in the week after a string of poor results that had left Pompey bottom of the Premier League table.
As when he took the Chelsea job in 2007-08, Grant's first match will be against Manchester United.
"The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone," said chief executive Peter Storrie.
"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."
Grant had been due to receive his work permit this week to become the club's director of football.
