Perrin appointed at Portsmouth
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Article summary
Alain Perrin has been unveiled as the new Portsmouth FC manager as the Premiership side battle relegation.
Article body
Marseille history
Frenchman Perrin, 48, spent three months last year coaching the United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain, having been dismissed from his post with Olympique de Marseille in January 2004 after only half a season at the helm.
'They really wanted me'
"For personal reasons I did not think I would commit myself to a new club before the start of the next campaign," said Perrin. "But Portsmouth decided to accelerate things and asked me to take the reins right now. I felt they really wanted me."
Troyes transformed
Before Marseille, Perrin was in charge of French team ES Troyes Aube Champagne for nine years, taking the club on a fairytale journey from the fourth division to the first. He also led them on a European adventure including a UEFA Intertoto Cup final defeat of Newcastle United FC in 2001.
Zajec role
Portsmouth caretaker manager Velimir Zajec is expected to revert to his original executive director's role, having taken over following Harry Redknapp's departure in November. Joe Jordan may also remain at the 16th-placed club as first-team coach, while ex-Tottenham Hotspur FC manager David Pleat will assist in a consultancy position.