New role for head of sports performance
Steve Allen has been named Pompey’s new assistant manager.
The 46-year-old will combine the role with his previous duties as head of sports performance.
Allen has been with the Blues since being appointed by Steve Cotterill in August 2010.
He said: “I’ve been given the title assistant manager and head of sports performance. That encompasses all medical aspects and the fitness of the players.
“It also involves identifying players for Guy who can take the club forward.
“You can see from those we’ve signed so far that we’re mostly concentrating on players aged between 21 and 26, who also have a resale value.
“We’ve worked particularly hard on player recruitment since January and we’ve tried to get ahead of the game and sign players quickly.
“I’ll also look at travel and hotels – basically anything to support Guy so he can concentrate on managing the team.
“It’s a real honour to hold this position and I feel proud and privileged to do it for a club of this size and stature.”
Blues boss Guy Whittingham – who will now look to appoint a first team coach – said: “Steve has pretty much been fulfilling the role of assistant manager since January.
“Andy Awford was a huge help on the coaching side, but Steve was doing all the off-field stuff that an assistant manager would do.
“I was talking to the chairman about how valuable Steve was and he replied that an assistant manager was right under my nose.
“He’s the ideal man for the role of assistant manager, which he will combine with his medical duties.
“He’s been in the game for 28 years and has a wealth of contacts. He’s also done his coaching qualifications, so has plenty of strings to his bow.”