FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Gary Waddock has taken over as Portsmouth manager until the end of the season.

Waddock won 21 caps for Ireland, but was perhaps best remembered at international level for being unexpectedly dropped from Jack Charlton’s Italia 90 squad at the last minute, with Alan McLoughlin taking his place.

Ironically, he subsequently replaced McLoughlin as assistant manager at Portsmouth last December, and has now taken charge at the troubled club, who are currently 14th in League Two, after winning just two of their last 10 matches.

The former QPR and Millwall player, who has also previously managed the former, as well as Aldershot, Wycombe and Oxford, replaces Andy Awford as Pompey boss.

A statement from the club read as follows: “Portsmouth Football Club announce that Andy Awford has left his role as first-team manager by mutual consent.

“After a meeting on Monday morning with chairman Iain McInnes and chief executive Mark Catlin, the decision was taken for him to step down with immediate effect.

“The club would like to place on record their sincere thanks for Andy’s efforts — his service to Pompey is immeasurable.

“All parties have agreed that, after a natural break, further conversations will take place about the potential of Andy playing a further role within the football club.”

Wayne Rooney on the tactics United employed to beat City on Sunday>

Rodgers will speak to Sterling about nitrous oxide footage>