James keen to be new Pompey manager

David James, the England goalkeeper, is to be interviewed for the vacant manager's job at Portsmouth, although his chances of landing the post look remote after the club's administrator, Andrew Andronikou, yesterday admitted it might be "too soon" for him.

Portsmouth need to find a new manager after Avram Grant resigned on Thursday evening, paving the way for him to take over at West Ham United. James, 39, is keen to step into management and has made it known he is interested in the job. Andronikou, however, is keen to discuss a new contract with James and he fears it may be too much to expect him to manage the team as well.

Andronikou said: "David has expressed an interest in management, albeit we believe it has come a bit too early to appoint him as manager. But he is one of the most articulate guys I have met and I shall be discussing the situation with him."

Paul Groves, who worked as assistant manager under Grant, is the favourite for the Portsmouth job. The Notts County manager, Steve Cotterill, is also a candidate, along with Iain Dowie, who is currently the football management consultant at relegated Hull City.

Grant, who is on holiday in Israel with his family, has agreed in principle a three-year deal with West Ham, although the club yesterday insisted it will not be hurried into making a decision.