A gentleman, a professional, yet it was time for Kenny Jackett to leave Portsmouth

The former Blues boss had almost four seasons to build on the club’s immense position of strength fortuitously handed to him in June 2017 following Paul Cook’s exit.

And he failed to restore Pompey to the Championship.

Arguably his first season was his finest, stabilising the Blues upon their League One return, while overhauling an aging squad designed to fulfil short-term goals.

Following that highly credible eighth-placed finish, there were two play-off semi-final campaign defeats. Presently Pompey reside in seventh.

Fratton Park success for Jackett would never be measured by EFL Trophy triumphs and lengthy winning streaks – it centred solely on promotion.

Ultimately, such was the often insipid style of football, even that achievement wouldn’t have won back the swathes of Pompey support which had long left his side.

Jackett was permitted patience and time by Tornante so rarely afforded in the modern game. When his dismissal arrived on Sunday morning, he was the 16th longest-serving boss in the top-four divisions.

As a consequence, Fratton Park had become stale, the players uninspired, its supporters bored. Familiarity had long bred contempt.

He should have been dismissed following that mechanical play-off semi-final defeat against Oxford United in July 2020. Another exit with a whimper.

Last summer was time to refresh the club, reinvigorate it with a new management team, with different ideas and fresh imagination.

Instead, Tornante opted to stand by their manager, ignoring the growing clamour from supporters not allowed into grounds to vent their frustrations.

There has been no discernible evidence – other than a three-month spell until Christmas – that there has been any progress since last term.

The League One table doesn’t reflect it, neither do the team’s performances, and neither does player development. Wembley condemned him.

It would be inaccurate to claim that young players didn’t improve under Jackett. The likes of Jamal Lowe, Matt Clarke, Ben Close, Craig MacGillivray and Ronan Curtis all made giant strides.

Yet, in the case of Curtis, his decline this season has been a concern. At the age of 24, he has inexplicably ground to a halt.

Granted, there have been baffling decisions, mishandling of players, alienation of some, the discarding of new signings within months of their recruitment, yet such clumsiness was carried out for the benefit of Pompey and designed to achieve success.

Jackett was never one to worry about popularity or how he was perceived, there was no ego to maintain. His focus is perhaps the most remarkable I have ever seen from a Pompey manager.

Certainly it’s important to separate the man from the manager who never allowed anyone a glimpse behind his professional exterior.

Jackett was a courteous figure, serving the club with respect, immense professionalism and admirable dedication.

When it was announced a mole had to be removed from his forearm, he was back at work within 48 hours of the procedure – at his own insistence.

His absence was initially anticipated to span two weeks, with the rapid return catching those he worked with off guard, yet hardly surprising them.

Jackett may be an undemonstrative character, lacking in visible emotion, but he ploughed his heart and soul into Pompey job.

He also endured abuse along the way, AFC Wimbledon immediately springs to mind, yet never complained, never ducked his duties, and took everything in his stride without a hint of fuss.

As for players, they have spoken of a manager often distant, unwilling to strike up personal relationships, while maintaining an arm’s length connection.

Yet, as revealed in Pompey: The Island City With A Football Club For A Heart, on the morning of Kev McCormack taking his wife, Sarah, to hospital for a bowel cancer operation, Jackett rang the kitman.

He wished them well, sent his love and asked to let him know if there was anything they wanted.

That touching call arrived two days following Pompey’s play-off elimination at the Kassam Stadium. McCormack will never forget that classy gesture.

It demonstrated the class of a man who remained a dignified presence throughout his Fratton Park stay and was popular with club staff beyond his backroom.

Jackett may have failed in his promotion mission, nonetheless left a favourable imprint on many who encountered him.

Sadly, though, it was time for a change. Kenny Jackett leaves with all our best wishes.