Distin blasts City

Distin brought a five-year spell with the Blues to an end when he signed for Harry Redknapp's side on a free transfer, despite late interest in the French stopper from Liverpool.

And even though he enjoyed a good relationship with now-sacked City boss Stuart Pearce, the 29-year-old revealed his decision to leave Eastlands was based on the club's inability to keep their best players and look to the future.

"After five years at City it was a tough choice to leave," Distin said. "But when I thought it was time for me to go I didn't think they really tried to keep me.

"When I came to City, Stuart Pearce was just retiring as a player and when he became manager he had to learn the job. I had a good relationship with him but I never really saw the club's ambition.

"In five years I've seen a lot of good players coming and then going - some of the best like Nicolas Anelka and so on. I think if you want to push for Europe you have to keep your best players.

"When you play there for five years it is not like when you are a fan coming to watch every other week. I know them [the club] deep inside.

"There is talk of a takeover now and maybe things are going to change but I didn't want to wait any longer. Five years is long enough."

"For me it was important that Portsmouth have shown their ambition and they have done that.

"This is a club definitely going forward. It reminds me of the old City atmosphere at Maine Road."