Ex-Crawley manager Richie Barker is wanted by Portsmouth to be their new boss.
One of our sister titles The Portsmouth News understands that after Portsmouth’s sacking of Guy Whittingham their seven-man board last night voted for Barker to be the replacement.
Steve Coppell, Crawley’s former director of football will join Barker in a director of football role, although it is believed Coppell will not receive a wage.
Pompey are now finalising Barker’s contract details with a view of potentially officially unveiling the 38-year-old on Monday.
If all goes to plan it will bring an end to an 11-day search for Whittingham’s successor as Barker is favourite of a seven-name shortlist which featured the likes of Oxford’s Chris Wilder, Exeter’s Paul Tisdale and Steve Claridge.
Interviews ended yesterday before directors cast their vote and Portsmouth’s chief executive Mark Catlin, who previously helped appoint Barker at Bury, did not have a vote in the process as he is not on the Blues board.