Portsmouth to Announce Richie Barker as New Manager

While no official announcement has been made by Portsmouth FC on who their new manager is, a decision has been made.

The 7 man board interviewed the final 2 candidates yesterday, David Connolly and Andy Awford, and took a vote on who to appoint. It is understood that the vote was for Crawley Town’s former boss Richie Barker. He will be assisted by Steve Coppell who’ll take on a director of football role.

The official announcement is expected on Monday once contract details have been finalised.

Richie Barker’s playing career started in 1993 with Sheffield Wednesday. He also played for Doncaster Rovers, Ards, Linfield, Brighton & Hove Albion, Macclesfield Town, Rotherham United, Mansfield Town, Hartlepool United and finishing his career in 2009 with Rotherham United after suffering a knee injury.

Barker was appointed manager of Crawley Town on 7 August 2012, and lasted until  27 November 2013, when his contract was terminated after a poor run of results.