Danny Cowley: Why inspirational Joe Gallen will be remaining at Portsmouth

And the Blues’ head coach is adamant he wants Kenny Jackett’s former number two by his side for the remainder of the campaign.

Ex-caretaker boss Gallen had been expected to depart Fratton Park once a fresh managerial appointment was finalised.

Instead he will see out the season as first-team coach, with Danny and Nicky Cowley keeping the existing backroom.

And Danny Cowley has admitted his admiration for the likeable Gallen.

He said: ‘We know when there is a change of management there is a natural anxiety and an uncertainty.

‘Our first day on Friday was about us meeting people, building relationships, trying to create a safe environment.

‘We like an environment where everyone can be themselves, we like an environment which gets the best out of them.

‘We think a lot of Joe. With our due diligence, everybody we speak to in football only has the best words to say about Joe Gallen.

‘We have been taken aback by his enthusiasm, not just for football, but for the club.

‘Don’t forget, it must have been a hugely tough week for Joe. When you consider the team lost at Wembley on Saturday, somebody he worked with for a number of years and a friend of his was sacked on the Sunday, and he took the team on Tuesday.

‘When we met him, he had incredible enthusiasm, energy, and a will for the club to do well. That really took me aback and actually I feel quite inspired talking to him.

‘We want to keep all the staff. We feel these are other committed people and want to work with them. That’s the plan.’

Coach Jake Wigley will also be staying at Fratton Park as the Blues seek to resurrect their promotion ambition.

And having integrated with existing members of staff, the former Lincoln and Huddersfield pair believe the new regime can thrive.

Nicky Cowley added: ‘Obviously Danny and myself are brothers.

‘At work we are two people who love working with others in the best interests of the football club. It is as simple as that.

‘We are not too entitled, we are not too hung up on roles and responsibilities in terms of what we should do.

‘For us it’s about making a really good connection, creating a good relationship with people, having healthy working relationships, understanding what their skill sets are and then accountability.

‘Make them responsible and give them roles that benefit the football club.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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