Alan McLoughlin told Sky Sports News that Paul Hart was correct to turn down the role of technical director.
Different role no place for former boss, says McLoughlin
Former midfielder Alan McLoughlin told
Sky Sports News he is not surprised Paul Hart chose to walk away from Portsmouth rather than stay on as technical director after being sacked as manager.
Hart was offered the position, which takes responsibility for players aged 18 to 21, after the club decided it was time to appoint a new boss.
Pompey, who have won just twice this season, are four points away from safety after losing to Stoke at the weekend and this week face Manchester United.
"Paul has shown enough attributes to have a future in football and, like anything, sometimes the gods conspire against you," said McLoughlin, who played for Pompey from 1992-1999.
"Certainly he'll reflect on it and certainly I think he has probably made the right decision to step away from the club completely. It is very difficult to go back to a different role.
"He's handled himself with dignity. He's shown a great appreciation of the players. The fans certainly recognise the hard work he has done at the football club, particulary youth development.
"Let's not forget the fantastic job he did last year. He kept the club afloat last year; his brief was to keep us in the Premier League and he did that."
Change
Hart was given the manager's job after Pompey beat the drop last season but under his leadership the team has accumulated just seven points from 13 league games this term.
"There have been one or two good performances - we've picked up some points of late - but things haven't gone great recently," reflected McLoughlin. "It's about staying in the Premier League and obviously the club feels now that a change is needed.
"I'm quite surprised that Avram Grant does not seem to be in the equation to take over as manager. Paul has done as best as he can but the team hasn't got that cutting edge and it's a points game.
"The players have done the best they can for him. There was a unity and strong bond between the players and Paul but sometimes in professional football it doesn't gel and it just hasn't worked recently."
Takers
Coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan have been given temporary charge of the first team for now and McLoughlin believes there will be no shortage of interest in succeeding Hart even though the successful candidate will have to work with Avram Grant, who was appointed director of football last month.
"There will be takers out there and I suspect the club will go for experience, someone who has got a Premiership pedigree," he said.
"I'm quite surprised Avram Grant is not in the long-term frame to take over as manager.
"Someone looking at the post will think 'I've got to work with Avram Grant' - are they happy with that? But I'm sure there will be plenty of takers. It's an attractive job. There's only one way to go and that's up.
"It's not far away from being right. However comes in has got a fairly big task but not an impossible one."
"Every team will strengthen in that window. Pompey will be looking to do that. Obviously their position if they are still lying at the bottom of the league makes it a little bit more difficult to attract the top players."
