Porstmouth have appointed former Crawley boss Richie Barker as their new manager.

Steve Coppell also arrives in a director of football role. He performed a similar role for Reds.

Barker, 38, has signed rolling contract.

Barker said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I’m very excited to be at this club with its great history.

"Everyone knows how passionate the people of Portsmouth are about their football club.”

The League Two club sacked previous boss Guy Whittingham on November 25.

Barker was fired by Reds two days after Whittingham's dismissal by Pompey.

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Linfield, Brighton, Macclesfield, Rotherham, Mansfield and Hartlepool striker beat off stiff competition for the Portsmouth job from a shortlist that also included Oxford United manager Chris Wilder and Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale.