Spurs, bottom of the Barclays Premier League, confirmed they have approached Portsmouth to talk to Harry Redknapp and the south coast club have reluctantly agreed.

Sporting director Damien Comolli and first-team coaches Marcos Alvarez and Gus Poyet have also left the club.

However the White Hart Lane club have issued a statement saying they will be holding talks with Pompey regarding Redknapp.

Tottenham have made their worst ever start to a season and have just two points from their first eight league fixtures.

Only Southampton have ever survived relegation after such a poor opening to a campaign and Spurs will be hoping Redknapp can turn their fortunes around.

The initial statement on the official Tottenham web site said: "The Club can announce that Damien Comolli, Sporting Director, Juande Ramos, Head Coach and First Team Coaches, Marcos Alvarez and Gus Poyet, have left the Club, with immediate effect. We wish them well.

"Clive Allen, Development Squad Coach, and Alex Inglethorpe, Youth Team Manager, will take charge for Sunday's League match against Bolton Wanderers. An announcement will be made on First Team coaching staff in due course."

A later statement added: "The Club has requested permission to hold discussions with Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth FC has reluctantly agreed."

Redknapp has said he is likely to be at Tottenham's home match against Boltonwith Joe Jordan taking charge of Pompey who meet Fulham at Fratton Park.

Redknapp said of his impending appointment: "It's going to be done tonight (Saturday), it will all be sorted out and by the morning I should be in place.

"It's a great opportunity for me. It's a big club, Tottenham. I love Portsmouth and I loved my time there, we had some fantastic success and I'd never been happier.

"But it's a great deal for Portsmouth, £5million for me, and it's a chance for me to get on and see what I can do."