Sven-Goran Eriksson is determined to return to Premier League management after his dismissal from the Mexico job, but he is unlikely to make his comeback at Portsmouth. The south coast club had declared an interest in the former England and Manchester City manager after they sacked Tony Adams in February and the notion of his appointment was greeted favourably by senior players, who had been less than enamoured at the prospect of Avram Grant, the former Chelsea manager, taking over.

But Portsmouth's precarious position on and off the field has seen their interest in Eriksson, and his in them, cool somewhat. The club are deep in debt and it is unlikely that they could afford Eriksson's wages, which have consistently been in the upper echelons.

Portsmouth are three points above the relegation cut-off, albeit with a game in hand, and while the possibility of the drop and its attendant financial disaster looms large, they cannot over-stretch themselves. If they do stay up many of their out-of-contract players, including the captain, Sol Campbell, are expected to leave and that is a minus point for any potential new manager.

Paul Hart, promoted from the role of youth development officer, is in interim charge until the end of the season and he has stabilised the club to such an extent that if he can avoid relegation, he would be well placed to be offered the job on a permanent basis, particularly as he is a cheaper alternative.

Eriksson's tenure with Mexico lasted 10 months, ending after the team lost a World Cup qualifier in Honduras on Wednesday, the latest in a string of disappointing results. "I personally never wanted him to take the Mexico job," said the Swede's agent, Athole Still. "I knew and had been warned that it's just a hothouse of politicising. I would think there would be plenty of offers for him and he would love to work in England again. I know that for a fact."