Following the dismissal of manager Paul Hart, Portsmouth have named director of football Avram Grant as successor.

Grant, 54, was previously manager of Chelsea from September 2007 to May 2008.

Portsmouth chief executive officer Peter Storrie told his club’s official website: “Avram is a very experienced and respected manager who has managed at the highest level. The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

“He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move to make him the next manager, once the board had decided to relieve Paul Hart of the role.

“He will take charge of training on Friday alongside first-team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan.”

Fulham defender Brede Hangeland has signed a new four-year contract at Craven Cottage.

The 28-year old Norwegian international was linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer.

Hangeland told his club’s official website: “I am delighted to have just signed a new deal and hope that this will now end months of speculation about my future.

“I have always maintained that I am happy at Fulham and committed to doing everything I can to ensure on-going success of the team. It’s great to see that the Club has made great progress since I first joined in January 2008 which has seen the highest ever finish for the team in the Club’s 130-year history at the end of last season.

“This is a testament to everyone involved at the Club including the Manager and Chairman who is dedicated to the Club.”

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson added: “I am delighted that Brede has been justly rewarded with a new deal and that he has committed his future to Fulham until 2013.

“He is an extremely important player for us and a model professional, so we are all very happy that he will be at Fulham for the long term. I would also like to thank the Chairman for again showing his dedication to the Club he has invested so much in, by offering this new deal.

“We have some very important games coming up and this news will give a boost to everyone here, so we’l focus on Bolton this weekend, and I know the fans will show their appreciation tomorrow.”

Portsmouth have sacked manager Paul Hart following their poor start to the season.

The Premiership club currently lay bottom of the table with just seven points from thirteen games.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie told his club’s official website: “Paul has worked under very difficult circumstances with the financial restrictions the club has faced since he took over.

“However, the board feels that the team should have accrued more points to date and that we need a new man in charge to ensure Premier League survival.

“The board would like to thank Paul for his work not only in keeping the club in the Premier League last season but also for his time in charge of youth development.

“Paul is a man of great dignity and we hoped he would stay and help us develop younger players on the fringes of the first team. We are genuinely sad to see him leave. Everyone at the club wishes him well for the future.”

Nottingham Forest have taken Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey on a month’s loan.

The twice capped England international has made just six appearances for the Premiership club this season.

Forest manager Billy Davies told his club’s official website: “We’re delighted – there’s no doubting the lad’s ability and what he has done in his career.

“I’ve admired him since his days at Reading and followed his progression through to the national side. Nicky is a fantastic addition to the squad.”