Santa Clause, Amongst Others, Linked

Neil Warnock remains favourite to take on the Portsmouth managers job. Mandaric explained: 'We are very much interested in Neil's situation but it is still in the air and up to him, what we have with Neil is discussion and dialogue with Sheffield United. At the moment we are only talking with Neil's advisors. We are not in contact with him at this time. I hope that we will be in 24 hours' time, of course he is a leading candidate with two or three others.'

But the club chairman also says that he is looking at other options: 'If Warnock remains my first choice I hope to put a package to him. If not, equally there are two or three other people and we'll look at that in the next 24-48 hours. I want this decision to be made at the end of this week and no later than the first part of next week.'

Clubcall.com have claimed former Portsmouth boss Alan Ball is interested in returning as director of football and wants to bring Walsall manager Paul Merson in under him.

The Rotherham Star claims that Rotherham United manager Mick Harford is being lined up, quite where that story has come from or how they have made the link I have no idea.

Another report suggests Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers chairman David Murray has given Pompey permission to talk to under pressure boss Alex McLeish. Mandaric admitted: 'I've also directed my chief executive to make an approach to Rangers. I rate Alex McLeish very highly and if he is interested we would like to speak with him but we must go through the proper channels with Rangers.

Iain Dowie (Crystal Palace) and Harry Rednapp (Southampton) have both ruled themselves out but Father Christmas refuses to be drawn on the link. Reports suggest, if Pompey can get a caretaker manager until after December 25th, Father C and Rudolph may enter into negotiations as a 'dream management team'. What? No more silly than all the other stories!

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