Portsmouth have finally plucked up the courage to sack hapless manager Paul Hart after a series of defeats.

After a run of seven consecutive defeats the Pompey heirachy and Hart have parted company.

In March 2007 Hart was appointed director of youth operations at Portsmouth and quickly built a reputation for himself.

When the bumbling Tony Adams was given his marching orders tw years later he was rewarded for his endeavour by being appointed as caretaker manager at Fratton Park.

At the end of the 2009/10 Premier League season, having secured Premier League status the gentle spoken Lancastrian was handed a two-year contract as the club’s first team manager.

But that was as good as things were to get for likeable Englishman as it took nearly three months for Pompey to finally secure their first Premier League victory.

By then however, the damage had already been done after opening the new season with seven consecutive defeats.Today after nine months in charge, Hart was sacked by Portsmouth.

Portsmouth player Danny Webber commented,

“The news came as a massive shock,”

“The first I heard of it was when I saw it on Sky Sports News.

“Paul was at training today and everything was as normal as usual. I don’t think any of the players saw this coming at all.

“I am sad to hear Paul has gone as I myself and all the lads have been impressed with the work he was doing and how he conducted himself.

“I don’t think anyone would have any bad words to say about him.”

Former Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has been installed as the early favourite for the vacancy, with ex-Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley also a contender.