Danny Cowley addresses his Portsmouth future as potential final match in charge looms

Having been recruited until the season’s end, play-off qualification hinges on the former Huddersfield manager’s 12th – and potentially last match – in charge at Fratton Park.

A 3-1 success at AFC Wimbledon ensures that Blues victory over Accrington on Sunday will seal their place, irrespective of other results.

As previously revealed in The News, Pompey’s board have been impressed with Cowley’s performance at the helm and are ready to offer a long-term deal – regardless of reaching the play-offs.

Cowley, however, insists no conversations have taken place on the issue of staying beyond this season.

And he believes the subject must be put to one side until Pompey’s own future has been decided.

He told The News: ‘My own future is irrelevant really because it's about the club.

‘Portsmouth Football Club has been here a long time before us and will be here for a long time after us. All that matters to me is this football club and the wonderful supporters.

‘For however long, we are going to try to do our very best and, as I always promise you, to try to put smiles on faces.

‘I don’t think about my future at all – it’s for other people to decide. That’s the truth.

‘There is no point me wasting any of my energy, time and thought process in worrying about what other people are going to decide, because they’re going to decide that.

‘I’m just going to put all my energy in trying to work really hard on a daily basis to help the team, help the players to keep developing, and trying to create a team which eventually the Pompey people will be really proud of.

‘Nobody has spoken to me about staying, I am focused on the finish line.

‘Once I get to the finish line then no doubt some people will make some decisions and they will tell me.

‘Then I will either pack my bags or empty a suitcase and put my clothes into the wardrobe!’

Cowley and brother Nicky inherited a Pompey side 10th in League One following Kenny Jackett’s dismissal.

Presently they are sixth with one match to play as the campaign reaches its exciting finale.

He added: ‘I’ve had seven away games, four home games, two sending offs, we’ve missed a penalty and conceded two penalties. It has been a real challenge.

‘I’m proud of the boys to have actually even put ourselves in a position to get this opportunity to qualify for the play-offs.

‘A lot of lesser groups and lesser characters wouldn’t have got themselves in this position.

‘I hope they can enjoy this week. Then it’s about us executing a performance next Sunday and giving ourselves an opportunity to win a game in the play-offs.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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