STEVE CLARIDGE was installed as manager at Fratton Park this morning after Tony Pulis was shunted sideways.

Portsmouth-born Claridge (pictured right) was given control of team affairs after chairman Milan Mandaric gave Pulis four months leave of absence - although he insisted he hadn't taken his leave from Saints' handling of Dave Jones affairs.

Mandaric said: "We don't take our lead from anyone, we do what we think best for us, and I think this is the best way of handling this."

Pulis has a current industrial tribunal case outstanding over his dismissal for gross misconduct from Gillingham and Mandaric said: "I believe a great deal of his focus was directed towards his personal case and I thought it was only fair that he should be allowed to sort it out."

Mandaric claims he will sit down with Pulis in four months' time, but in the meantime Claridge was placed firmly in control of team affairs.

"I don't care what title you give him, whether it is caretaker manager or what, as from this moment in time, Steve is in charge of the team," said Mandaric.

Fellow veteran striker Guy Whittingham will work alongside him as his assistant, and Pulis's assistant Lindsay Parsons and the other backroom staff he appointed will be addressed this afternoon, with the likelihood they will part company with the club.

Claridge's first act was to offer an olive branch to players who now become his responsibility, saying: "We start with a completely clean slate."

And although he will be a player-manager Claridge admitted he may find it increasingly difficult to combine the two roles.

"It's a lot to ask to play and manage a club at this level, it's a role that tends to be carried out lower down the leagues.

"I will pick myself until somebody better comes along when I will step back.