( CM ) - Struggling pop star Britney Spears would be forced to look on if her parents fire her manager later this week.
The future of Howard Grossman as Spears' manager is uncertain following her parents' decisive moves to take hold of her life in the last fortnight.
Los Angeles superior court documents show Spears' father, James Spears, can dismiss Grossman and is also entitled to inspect the manager's papers relating to his daughter.
Despite having gained the power it is not yet clear whether Grossman will be given his marching orders. He appeared at the court hearing but was turned away.
"My reputation speaks for itself," he said, before refusing to comment further.
Britney's mother, Lynne, has complicated matters by acting against another sometime manager, Sam Lufti.
He now has a restraining order barring him from Britney's presence, following allegations he had drugged her in order to retain influence over her life and finances.
Spears' career appears in crisis as after a bad 2007 she is now suffering a terrible 2008.
The 26-year-old was hospitalised after a custodial row last month and was admitted to the UCLA medical centre on January 31st.
She was released on Wednesday, a move which provoked condemnation from her parents.