ZESH REHMAN has been promoted to First Team Development Coach by Portsmouth.

The former Fulham, QPR and Bradford defender arrived at Fratton Park as the Academy’s Lead Professional Development Phase Coach last summer.

He stepped up to help the first team on a temporary basis in January following the departure of Danny and Nicky Cowley.

He remained in post when John Mousinho took over as Head Coach and has now joined his backroom team on a permanent basis.

Rehman, 39, said: “I am looking forward to utilising my experiences of playing in all four leagues to help our players maximise their potential.

“I believe continual development is needed by players of all ages and at all stages of their careers. Every player is a work in progress and never the finished article.

“There is no better feeling than assisting an individual, partnership or a unit to improve and then see that work transferred to a matchday, helping the team win.”