On 1 May 2014, it was announced that Awford would be appointed as Portsmouth manager on a permanent basis on a one-year rolling contract. Awford won the League Two Manager of the Month award for February during the 2014–15 season following an unbeaten month, guiding the club to four wins and two draws. However, a poor run of form in the next ten games led to Awford leaving Portsmouth by mutual consent on 13 April 2015, with the club sitting in 14th position in the table.