Portsmouth have made further contact with Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez as they look to fill their managerial vacancy at Fratton Park. Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie contacted the Irish Football Association on Monday and received permission to talk to Sanchez.
"It would have been churlish to have refused," said IFA chief Howard Wells.
Pompey are also keen on Harry Redknapp but had their offer of compensation rejected by Southampton on Monday.
Earlier, Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric had said that he believed Sanchez was someone who, given proper support, could be a success at the club.
"For that reason we will ask permission from the IFA to contact Lawrie and see what his views are," said Mandaric.
Sanchez told BBC Sport that he would be happy to take on a club role alongside his current position with Northern Ireland.
"I'm committed to the European Championships with Northern Ireland, and I'm looking forward to those games," said Sanchez.
"But if a situation came along where it would be a step up professionally, and the IFA said that they would be happy to combine the two, then it might happen in the future.
"I have really enjoyed the Northern Ireland job, but basically if a good job came along and I could not turn it down, I would look to do both jobs.
"Northern Ireland have only one game left against Estonia this season so any new role will come into place next season.
"There again, it would be one-season operation as the Europeans will be done and dusted in the one year."
MMIX
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