Portsmouth manager addresses speculation over his long term future at Fratton Park

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett addresses speculation over his long term future at Fratton Park, as he takes some time out from the role.

He has insisting that his sole concentration is on ending the 2020/21 season with success, with his contract expiring at the end of this season in mind.

Jackett is currently in his fourth season with the club and has been so far been able to get Pompey that all important promotion out of League One in his first three attempts, after getting knocked out of the playoffs the last two seasons.

The Blues currently sit 4th in the League One table and take on promotion contenders Doncaster Rovers, who recently saw their manager leave for Sheffield Wednesday.

Both the club and Jackett himself have been quiet on his future so far, leaving fans wondering what is going on, and he was asked about what is in store at the end of this season, but remained tight-lipped.

“My concentration is on the here and now,” Jackett told Hampshire Live. “We are 30 games into the season and we are fourth in the league and we have a Wembley final.

“It is an exciting position to be in and also we want to do everything we can to try to take this opportunity, this is the reason you are in football.

“We are not necessarily playing catch up, we are in the thick of it and in the mix of it and every one of us has to work hard to put the club first to make sure we earn success this year.

“If we look forward and we don’t look back there is an opportunity for us, an opportunity and a chance that we want to take.

“My focus is right on that, it’s on Doncaster and Northampton. The games if we stay up there will get bigger and bigger as the season goes on and that’s great. Games that we as a group, myself, the staff and the players, it is a succession of games that we are looking forward to.”

Asked whether he would be open to extending to his stay with Portsmouth beyond the end of this season, the he again remained focused on the immediate future.

“I think the details of my contract will remain private but my focus is on the here and now and so it should be as a manager because it’s a really big time and a fantastic opportunity for us,” added Jackett.

“Doncaster/Northampton are the games that matter and for us, if we can be successful, each week will build up and these are the spells you are in football for as a player, as a coach, as a manger and we have to do everything we can to maximise it.”

It was on the 15th of February that Portsmouth issued a statement on his temporarily stepping back.

It read: “Portsmouth Football Club can advise that, with effect from this Thursday (February 18), Kenny Jackett will not be in attendance at matches or training sessions following a medical procedure that will require a short period of rest and recuperation.

“Assistant manager Joe Gallen will operate in a caretaker capacity during this time and will be assisted by first team coach Jake Wigley.

“Kenny will remain in constant contact with them both, while also able to speak to the players via video link before and after games, as well as at half-time.

“We wish Kenny a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back shortly.”

Kenny Jackett spoke on the appointment of Moore at Doncaster: ‘Darren Moore did very well at West Brom, did very well at Doncaster, and now he’s moving onto Sheffield Wednesday, which is a very big club.

‘Good luck to him, he deserves it.

‘It’s hard to tell how this now affects them. I think it will be the same group of players and the new manager at the moment is Andy Butler, who has a lot of experience at the club.

‘I’m sure he will continue the good job that Darren has done.

‘It will not change our approach to the match. It’s still the same group of players and we always think Doncaster away is a hard game.

‘We have done well there before, though, and will do everything we can to go there again and get us on the type of run we’re looking for coming into the last leg of the season.

‘Things may have changed for them, but we don’t underestimate the task, we have to work very hard to win.

‘We want to get a good winning run going. It was four points out of six last week and, as we now come into Doncaster and Northampton this week, we’ll see what we can do.’

Jackett added: ‘How it affects their season very much depends on the new people and whoever that is. Although it’s Andy Butler at the moment.

‘Doncaster have been a good side in recent seasons, while this year have shown good consistency – and I’m sure will continue to do that.

‘For us, it’s the same group of players. What has happened doesn’t alter our setup or approach at all.’

As the Portsmouth manager addresses speculation over his long term future at Fratton Park, we want to know, do you think he should stay in charge or leave?