Manager Barker Leaves Portsmouth FC

27 March 2014, 13:06 | Updated: 27 March 2014, 13:34

Portsmouth have confirmed the departure of manager Richie Barker.

The Fratton Park board have acted with Pompey, the 2008 FA Cup winners, in serious danger of relegation from the Football League.

Academy boss and former Pompey player Andy Awford has been named caretaker manager until the end of the season.

A Portsmouth statement read: "Richie Barker has left his position as Portsmouth Football Club manager by mutual consent.

"Following a meeting between Richie and the board, both parties agreed that it was in the best interests of the club.

"Portsmouth Football Club would like to thank Richie for all his work and wish him well for the future.

"Andy Awford has been appointed caretaker manager until the end of the season."

Former Bury and Crawley boss Barker, 38, only replaced Guy Whittingham at Fratton Park in December but has been unable to halt their slide down the table.

Tuesday night's 3-0 reverse at Rochdale was their third straight defeat and left Pompey, the pre-season promotion favourites, just one place and two points above the relegation zone with seven games to play.

Awford's second stint in caretaker charge will begin at Newport on Saturday.