Joe Gallen reveals what's next for ex-Portsmouth, Wolves and Millwall boss Kenny Jackett after his Fratton Park exit

And Joe Gallen believes the former Blues boss won’t be short of potential suitors.

Jackett was relieved of his duties on Sunday following Pompey’s Papa John’s Trophy final loss to Salford the previous day.

It brought an end to his near four-year tenure in the Fratton Park hot seat, having yielded the Checkatrade Trophy and two League One play-off finishes.

But with the Blues’ chances of achieving a top-six place this season, chief executive Mark Catlin felt a change was required.

Jackett has not long recovered from having a mole removed on his forearm, which saw him take a brief hiatus from his PO4 duties.

However, Gallen says his long-term friend doesn’t plan to take a break from football – and is keen to land a job when the next one comes available.

Assistant boss Gallen, who will be in charge when Pompey travel to Peterborough tomorrow night, told The News: ‘Kenny is ready for the next one, the next job.

‘I'm pretty sure with his record, his win percentage and lasted at a proper club like Pompey for nearly four years. You think of a club like Sunderland who're on their third manager while we've been in the same division.

‘Kenny has been manager of Millwall for six years, three years at Wolves and nearly four at Pompey which managers normally don't get.

‘His wins, promotion and Wembley appearances is an excellent record. He's close to 900 games as a manager and he'll be looking to getting as close to 1000 as soon as possible.

‘He doesn't want a break. He has been given a clean bill of health, 100 per cent, and says, if anything, he is remotivated.

‘It is a scare once you're told you have a potential illness but the upside is that illness is not there and he's ready to go.

‘He would say if there was a job available tomorrow morning, he's ready and wants to work straight away.

‘He has the energy and enthusiasm for it and there will be plenty of suitors.’

Gallen’s proud of what he and Jackett achieved on the south coast after succeeding Paul Cook in June 2017.

But he’s disappointed the pair were unable to bring Championship football back to Pompey, having suffered play-off defeat twice.

Gallen added: ‘It was a very disappointing day seeing Kenny leave after nearly four years.

‘In those four years, the ultimate aim was to get promotion and very narrowly it hasn't happened – losing on penalties to Oxford and 1-0 over two legs against Sunderland.

‘That is the disappointment but I was pleased to see on the club's website that his win percentage was more than 50 per cent, the league finishes look pretty good and consistent.

‘There were two Wembley finals and it's something for Kenny to be proud of. Ultimately, the one we wanted wasn't there.’

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