Portsmouth manager Tony Adams revealed John Metgod was "super-keen" to move to Fratton Park after the south-coast club named the former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham defender first-team coach.

The 50-year-old had been on the coaching staff at Feyenoord but this afternoon revealed he is set to link up with Adams at the Barclays Premier League outfit.

The position of first-team coach had been vacant since Joe Jordan left Pompey for Tottenham last week.

Adams is delighted to have filled the post and believes Metgod is the perfect man for the role.

He told www.pompeyfc.co.uk: "He's been working for Feyenoord for 20 years in different capacities. I think he was instrumental in setting up their academy there.

"He jumped at the chance to come here. He was super-keen. He loved it in England when he was a player and can't wait to come and work for us."

Adams is confident the former Holland international will be a calm and supportive influence on the Fratton Park bench.

"John's going to be a fantastic ally," said the former Arsenal centre-back. "He's the right person for this football club.

"He's very calm and low-key. He's going to support me and hopefully help the players.

"I do like doing a lot of coaching and Johnny will support me. He'll help me, be there for me, talk to me and share his experience with me. He'll suggest players, he'll work with players - everything someone in football does.

"He's a little bit older than me and has been around the block. He's played in England, Spain and Holland under some unbelievable managers."

Adams had a spell on the coaching staff at Feyenoord, as well as an additional stint with FC Utrecht, before linking up with Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth in June 2006.

And Metgod, who admitted it was a difficult decision to leave De Kuip, confirmed the pair had kept in touch ever since.

He told the Feyenoord website, www.feyenoord.nl: "After all these years I leave here with pain in my heart but this is a challenge I cannot let pass by.

"Tony Adams is a key figure in British football but his thinking is influenced by Dutch football.

"We had excellent contact when he was at Feyenoord and that has remained."

Metgod added: "Tony called me on Friday morning to ask if I wanted to become first-team coach at Portsmouth.

"The chance to work with him and return to the highest level in England is appealing to me.

"As a player, I had four beautiful years there and I am looking forward to working in full stadiums every week and with the best players."

Paul Groves switches from reserve-team boss to assistant first-team coach as part of the reshuffle.

Adams, meanwhile, is "very positive" about his future at the club - but does worry he may not be given the time he needs to prove himself.

The former England international sealed his first win at the weekend - beating Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Reports today suggest Portsmouth are on the brink of a £70million takeover, which would leave Adams' future at the mercy of the new owners.

But the 42-year-old remains upbeat.

"I'm planning on being at this football club for a long time, and the people here have given me no reason to think otherwise," said Adams.

"If I am given time I am sure I will be able to. I have confidence in my ability to be able to do that."

Adams is encouraged by all the indications he is getting - and just hopes it stays that way.

"At the moment everyone is very supportive, and I am very confident. I'm very positive and I'm very happy," he said.

"I think if I am given time here I can be successful, so time is a fear.

"I do worry I'm not going to be given time because we are very driven by results. We are living in a society of 'now'."

Earlier today, speculation was rife Pompey could become the latest club to change hands with owner Alexandre Gaydamak having reportedly held talks with South African mining giant Central Rand Gold.

Gaydamak's willingness to offload his interest in the Fratton Park outfit has been known for some time.

Although he would not sell to any party he felt was incapable of building on the club's recent success, Redknapp's departure to Spurs was seen as bad news for last season's FA Cup winners and many fans would welcome a change of owner.

Central Rand Gold chief executive Greg James and super agent Pini Zahavi are the prime movers behind such a deal.

However, as some observers expected negotiations to reach a successful conclusion last week, the fact nothing has been announced has raised concerns over whether negotiations have hit an unexpected hitch.

Zahavi's potential involvement inevitably raises the prospect of Avram Grant returning to Pompey as director of football, possibly accompanied by Slaven Bilic.

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