Adams set for Portsmouth job

Tony Adams is set to be installed as new Portsmouth manager just over 48 hours after Harry Redknapp quit the FA Cup holders to join Tottenham and despite chief executive Peter Storrie insisting there will be no rush to find a replacement.

But former Arsenal and England defender Adams will take the top job at Fratton Park with Redknapp's blessing having been appointed as his number two at Fratton Park two years ago following an ill-fated spell in charge of Wycombe and coaching jobs in Holland.

Adams, 42, was put in temporary charge of Pompey along with Joe Jordan for Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Fulham but is believed to have asked whether he could be a candidate for a more permanent role.

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Portsmouth have called a 1300 press conference at Fratton Park when they expect to unveil their new manager.

Former Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and former Chelsea chief Avram Grant - who went to Stamford Bridge from the job of technical director at Fratton Park - were believed to be among the favourites to take over from Redknapp.

But Pompey officials were sure to have been impressed by the public backing given to Adams at the Fulham match when fans soon chanted "Tony Adams' blue and white army" despite the shock of losing Redknapp to their struggling Barclays Premier League rivals.

Whether or not Adams' appointment is on a long-term or short-term basis he will certainly be in charge for Pompey's game against league leaders Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow night and will be given the chance to prove himself at the helm.

He is believed to have made it known to close friends that he could walk out if not given the opportunity now.

He was prepared to seek a new route back into football management even though there would have been no place for him alongside Redknapp at Tottenham because of his string Arsenal connections.

Redknapp has gone on record praising Adams' contribution to the revival of Portsmouth's fortunes on the field.

From needing to make a miraculous escape from relegation after Redknapp returned to take over from Southampton in December 2005, Pompey finished in ninth position the next season following Adams' appointment as number two when Kevin Bond left to join Newcastle.

Working with Sol Campbell, David James and later Sylvain Distin, former centre-back Adams has had a major influence on Portsmouth's defensive strength, although he resents the implication he is only a defensive coach.

It is not known yet whether Jordan will stay on with him at Fratton Park but reformed alcoholic Adams is a fan of stability and believes he can stem the tide of a predicted exodus of star players in the next transfer window.

Portsmouth are so far not commenting on speculation that he wants to bring in his old Arsenal team-mate Martin Keown as an assistant.

Redknapp had encouraged Adams when he brought him to Fratton Park, telling him he would eventually get the Pompey job.

"When I bought Tony Adams in a couple of years ago and Tony wanted to be the manager one day, I said to him, 'come with me for a year or two and then you'll take over'," Redknapp said.

"That was the feeling I had about it then. You can overstay too long and I felt that I'd done what I could do there and to where I felt we could take them."