Hart will never quit

Hart: Won't quit

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Portsmouth manager Paul Hart insists he will never quit the South Coast strugglers.

The Pompey boss has had to contend with more battles than most this season with heavy financial restrictions at Fratton Park.

Their off-field problems have hampered their progress on the pitch and the they currently lie bottom of the Premier League table after 12 games.

However, Hart is not taking his position in football for granted and still feels he is at a good football club.

Although much of Hart's time is taken up fire-fighting his belief remains strong that he can guide the club to safety.

Fortunate

"I consider myself, 40 years after I entered the game, very fortunate to be in football," Hart told the News of the World.

"Despite our problems, I am very, very privileged to manage a smashing football club.

"It's been one hell of a test and you've got to be on your toes.

"I knew things were bad when I took over but I wouldn't have believed they would get even worse.

"The situation I face at Portsmouth is totally unique. It's demoralising watching players walk out of the door.

"No club ever reports back for pre-season with 14 players.

"What has happened to us is a salutary warning to everybody, but I believe I can get us out of this mess and I won't ever give up."

Lengthy period

Hart managed Rushden & Diamonds and Barnsley prior to joining Portsmouth to bolster their youth development.

The 56-year-old says there was a period where he was out of the game for over a year, leaving him deeply worried.

"There was a period after I left Barnsley when I was unemployed for a year," he continued.

"I didn't even get a phone call to go scouting. That was deeply concerning.

"It showed me how quickly you can be forgotten. I never went to games where another manager might be under pressure.

"I thought my record would stand me in good stead, but it goes to show that it doesn't count for much. There were certainly some dark moments."