When a club changes managers, it is usually the signal for dramatic upheaval, but that’s the last thing that Portsmouth want. They need to find a replacement for Harry Redknapp who can carry on all Harry’s good work and keep the momentum going. The biggest danger is that a new man will come in, try to stamp his authority on the club and rip up the foundations. That would upset many of the players who signed up for a team run by Harry.

Some stability is critical in the next few weeks. A losing streak before Christmas that could send the club tumbling down the table might cause some of the big names to consider their futures in January.

That’s why it is important that Portsmouth take their time in choosing a replacement. It’s been a traumatic couple of days but this is not an emergency situation — they are seventh. Why not give Tony Adams, the assistant, a few games to see how he does, perhaps taking a close look at some other candidates at the same time? Adams knows the club and players so he may be the man to convince the side to keep their foot on the pedal. He’s a risk because his only experience of being a manager was the false start he had at Wycombe Wanderers a few years ago, but he should be less naive now.

Adams should look to Arsène Wenger as an example of how to mix continuity with change. When Wenger took charge at Arsenal he didn’t remove all the old guard, men such as Adams — he built the club up using the foundation he inherited and moulded it over time according to his own vision.

As for some of the other leading candidates, I’m not sure Alan Curbishley would be right. He is successful at keeping clubs away from relegation and producing solid mid-table outfits, but would that be acceptable to Portsmouth fans who are enjoying European football and expecting their side to challenge for the top six? Curbishley is a decent manager but he can be bland and cautious and he is unlikely to lift fans or players.

He doesn’t always endear himself to his players, an important consideration at Portsmouth. The likes of David James, Sol Campbell, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe left bigger clubs to play for Harry. There are a few veterans at the club who will have to be replaced over the next 18 months or so, and for Portsmouth to progress, they will need to persuade more players to leave the top sides.

That will be hard without a charismatic manager, a reservation that also applies to Avram Grant. Can you imagine a leading player saying “I came to Portsmouth because of Avram”? To me he’s a nearly-man. Many said he was hard done by to be sacked by Chelsea, but you’d have to be a terrible manager not to be successful with the group of players he had.

Sam Allardyce’s reputation was damaged during his short spell at Newcastle United, but it has been obvious since that the club have huge problems that were not his fault. Some of Portsmouth’s players are the sort he’d have loved to sign, the kind he would enjoy working with. The way he overachieved at Bolton Wanderers and brought them European football on a budget is a good model for Portsmouth.

But whoever takes charge, the realistic target can only be reaching the next stage of the Uefa Cup and a mid-table finish in the league after this upheaval, because it looks like money is tight. In leaving, Harry was shrewd enough to realise that he’d taken the club as far as he could. He’ll be a tough act to follow.

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Best of the web ‘Avram? That’s crazy talk, he’s useless.’

All the names mentioned to succeed Harry [Redknapp] have been failures. Take a leaf out of Spurs’ book and poach a manager who values a pay hike and big-club status.
portsmouth-mad.co.uk

Please not [Alan] Curbishley. He lost the plot at West Ham
portsmouth.vital.football.co.uk

Juande Ramos is looking for work. Sorry, just trying to cheer myself up!
portsmouth-mad.co.uk

If he [Tony Adams] is not given the No 1 job, he will definitely be off. He’s an ideal choice, if for no other reason than consistency.
portsmouth-mad.co.uk

Please not [Sam]Allardyce. It will be long-ball Pompey, he will play boring football and bring in c*** players.
portsmouth-mad.co.uk

Avram [Grant]? That’s crazy talk, he’s useless.
bbc.co.uk/dna/606

[Roberto] Martinez at Swansea.
portsmouth-mad.co.uk

I would love Adams to get the job. It would be a good apprenticeship before he takes over from Arsene [Wenger] in a few years’ time! However, it would be better to appoint Avram Grant, especially in the short run, while Adams continues to learn his trade at coaching.
bbc.co.uk/dna/606

Selected by Russell Kempson