Pompey retain coach Coles

Portsmouth have successful headed off reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur in David Coles after agreeing a new contract with their goalkeeping coach.

Coles, 44, had been strongly linked with a move to White Hart Lane where he would join up with former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.

But the former Southampton coach has now put pen to paper on a fresh three-year contract at Fratton Park to remain part of new manager Tony Adams' backroom staff.

Coles is credited with helping Pompey number one David James reclaim his England place under head coach Fabio Capello.

"Everything that was written in the papers about David leaving was completely wrong," executive chairman Peter Storrie told the club's official website.

"He has always been completely happy here and we are delighted to extend his contract.

"He's one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the country, so naturally we wanted to keep him."