MIKEY Harris has pulled out of the running to become Portsmouth's new academy manager, instead opting to take a role with Saints' under-18s.

Portsmouth News report Harris had applied for the Fratton Park vacancy earlier this month, and had "attended a screening interview", before turning down the chance for a full interview.

Instead, Harris, who has previously worked at Pompey, Brighton and the FA, has instead accepted a role in the Saints academy.

In a post on LinkedIn after taking the position of under-18s individual coach, Harris wrote: "I feel very grateful and privileged to be 'back in the game' starting a new role at Southampton Football Club.

"I am also immensely grateful to the 'football family' who have been amazing to me over the past few months.

"I feel very lucky to have worked with and met so many incredible people during my journey to date and I'm very excited to meet and work with some more on a fantastic project with SFC."