STRUGGLING Portsmouth today confirmed the departure of Tony Adams after only 16 games in charge as manager.

STRUGGLING Portsmouth today confirmed the departure of Tony Adams after only 16 games in charge as manager.

The end came for the former Arsenal and England captain after Pompey lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool on Saturday.

Since taking over from Harry Redknapp, who moved to Spurs in October, Adams has seen his side win just two league games, leaving them hovering just above the relegation zone.

Adams' first-team coach, former Dutch international John Metgod, is also leaving Fratton Park. The club's director of youth team operations, former Nottingham Forest manager Paul Hart will be caretaker manager.

A Portsmouth spokesman told official club website www.pompeyfc.co.uk: "This has been a very difficult decision and Tony has worked tirelessly to arrest the slump in form.

"He is rightfully highly-respected within the football world and played a major role in our FA Cup triumph last season. We would like to thank him and John and wish them well in the future.

"The owner and the board feel they have been as supportive as they can during a period where results have been poor. The team has played well but too many points have been dropped from winning positions.

"Notwithstanding the adverse economic conditions the board remains committed to the continued growth and development of the club for the future, building on its achievements of the last three years.

"The priority is for Portsmouth Football Club to remain in the top flight and we feel the appointment of a new manager will give us the best opportunity to enable us to do this.

"Paul Hart knows the football club, having joined us nearly two years ago, and is a respected coach with managerial experience.'

Today's national press have linked a number of high-profile names with the vacancy. The include former Portsmouth technical director and Chelsea manager Avram Grant, former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley and one-time England and Manchester City manager Sven Goren-Eriksson, who is curretly in charge of the Mexican national team,,