Portsmouth widen manager search

Portsmouth's quest for a new manager shifted sharply yesterday after missing out on Sheffield United's Neil Warnock and reportedly being denied permission to approach former boss Harry Redknapp.

Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric, who is also hoping to talk to Rangers manager Alex McLeish, widened his list of candidates to include Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez and former Ireland boss Brian Kerr.

"These are another two names on our list who we will talk to and see what they have to say and offer," Mandaric told the Pompey website.

Mandaric's plans looked to have suffered a big blow earlier yesterday when his Southampton counterpart Rupert Lowe was reported by British media to have denied him permission to hold talks with their manager Redknapp.

Mandaric had made the Redknapp request after preferred candidate Warnock said he wanted to stay with Sheffield United, who are second in division two and on course for promotion to the Premier League.

Portsmouth, third from bottom of the Premier League with only two wins in 14 matches, sacked French manager Alain Perrin last week.

Mandaric, who also intends to seek permission again to talk to McLeish after being denied once by Rangers, said he hoped to make an announcement next week but would make no further statements this week.