AVRAM Grant has resigned as Pompey manager.

The former Chelsea boss failed to keep Portsmouth in the Premier League, as they finished bottom of the division this season.

He did however manage to guide his team to Wembley for the FA Cup Final last weekend, where they were beaten by 1-0 Chelsea.

Grant has been repeatedly linked with West Ham United in recent days and Portsmouth's administrator Andrew Andronikou has previously said he would not be seeking any compensation should the Israeli move to Upton Park.

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The news will come as a blow to Pompey fans, who had been hoping Grant would stay with them for their first season back in the second tier.

Grant took over at Fratton Park in November following the sacking of Paul Hart.

Since then the side has recorded an average of less than a point a game in the league.

Even without the nine-point penalty they faced for going into administration, Portsmouth would still have finished bottom of the Premier League.

On Portsmouth's official website, Grant released a 'personal letter' to the fans.

In it the said that choosing to leave Fratton Park was "one of the most difficult decisions" in his footballing career and needed "a lot of soul searching".

He also took time to thank Balram Chainrai for "saving the club from liquidation" and commended Mr Andronikou for the "good job" he is doing, "under very difficult circumstances".

He ended the letter by saying: "I truly thank you all for granting me the opportunity and the privilege to be part of your special city and unique club."