Mark Catlin: No knee-jerk reaction after Portsmouth play-off heartache

Although the Blues chief executive declined to be drawn on Kenny Jackett’s future.

Monday evening’s penalty shoot-out elimination at the hands of Oxford United condemned Pompey to League One football for another season – and turned the focus on their manager.

Jackett has subsequently come under heavy fire, with many fans calling for his dismissal following three years at the helm.

It is understood his position is presently not under threat.

And Catlin insists there will be a period of reflection and analysis before the club plots the way forward following their latest promotion set-back.

He told The News: ‘There’s criticism towards everyone, ranging from the chairman to the board to myself.

‘But, as I’ve said before, as a business we like to think of ourselves as sensible, stable and thinking with a calm head.

‘We will now have a period of reflection, individually and as a group, and make the correct decisions in the best interests of the football club.

‘The one thing I don’t think anyone can accuse us of is taking knee-jerk reactions. We are a club which prides itself on being built on stability and strong foundations.

‘We are not about to go ripping that up based on missing a penalty last night and the obvious hurt and frustration as a result.

‘We are in for a period next season which is arguably the most turbulent in the history of football.

‘The one thing that is required during this period are calm heads and sane decisions.

‘There are multiple challenges on the horizon and – I just want to repeat again – it is exactly the period where we have to come to the fore by making sensible, sustainable and well-thought out decisions.

‘We are a ship going on a certain course and there are going to be storms along the way. But we have continued to go through those storms and keep progressing year on year.

‘That is what we are as a club – and we are not going to change that.’

Jackett extended his deal as Pompey boss in November 2017, taking him up to June 2021.

When asked about the 58-year-old’s contract, Catlin was adamant he didn’t want to talk about individuals.

He added: ‘We don't discuss staff members’ contracts in public and I am not going to talk about individual’s positions, whether that be players, managers, members of staff, whoever that might be.

‘It’s very disappointing at this period of time and the main thing is we learn from last night and move forward.

‘We are a team – from the board to the players to the management team to the executives.

‘We are a team and we live and die as a team.’

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