Portsmouth Football Club are pleased to confirm the appointment of Jon Harley as assistant head coach.
The 43-year-old has left his position working with the development side at Chelsea to join John Mousinho’s backroom team.
Harley had a spell at Fratton Park towards the end of his playing career, making 26 appearances during the first half of the 2012/13 campaign.
Sporting director Richard Hughes said: “We spoke to quite a few people and both John and I were really impressed with Jon.
“His face would light up whenever he talked about Pompey and you can tell he has an affinity for this football club.
"He’s spent 10 years with Chelsea and worked with some of the best talents in the country – he’s going to add value."
“Coupled with his coaching background – where he’s spent 10 years with Chelsea and worked with some of the best talents in the country – he’s going to add value.
“We feel that he can provide excellent support for John and so we’re delighted to have him here. He’ll be a great asset for the club.”
Head coach Mousinho said: “Jon had a fantastic playing career and competed at the top, while he’s had 10 years working with Chelsea at the highest level of development football.
“He was the outstanding candidate during the recruitment process and knowing him from my time on the Pro Licence, he’s a great guy who’s going to fit in with what we’re trying to do here.
“Jon is an excellent coach and Chelsea have a great track record of bringing through players to feature in their first team or have good careers elsewhere – he’s had a big role in that.
“That was a big part in coming here because we also want to bring young players in here and help to develop them.
"He was the outstanding candidate during the recruitment process and is a great guy who’s going to fit in with what we’re trying to do here."
“We wanted to make sure that we got the right person and it takes time to go through the list, but we were thorough and robust because this a crucial appointment.”
Harley progressed through the ranks at Chelsea as a player and was part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup in the last final to take place at the old Wembley.
The former England under-21 international went on to appear for Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, Watford and Notts County before arriving at Fratton Park.
He made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in League One, with his only goal for the club arriving in a narrow defeat at Stevenage.
Harley departed the club in January and then hung up his boots following a short stint with Maidstone.
He returned to Chelsea to work with the academy before stepping up to join the development squad staff.