History of Portsmouth F.C. place, thanks to academy director Paul Hart stepping in as caretaker boss, seven points clear of the relegated clubs, despite the disruption brought by the departure of Harry Redknapp and the subsequent sacking of his successor, former assistant manager Tony Adams. At the start of the 2008–09 season rumours began to fly around that Portsmouth were facing crippling debts due to their recent heavy spending and owner Alexandre Gaydamak was looking to sell the club. After Redknapp's departure many key players began to depart with Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe leaving in January. In May 2009, Sulaiman Al-Fahim had a
Paul Sugrue Paul Sugrue Paul Anthony Sugrue (born 6 November 1960 in Coventry) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward in the Football League for Manchester City Cardiff City, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Northampton Town and Newport County. Sugrue played non-league football for Nuneaton Borough before a long career in the Football League. He then returned to non-league with Bridgend Town and played for Elo Kuopio in Finland, before returning to England to play a pivotal role in Barnet's 1991 Conference title winning campaign. He had a spell as manager at Nuneaton Borough, and later became vice-chairman of Merthyr Tydfil,