Portsmouth assistant provides update on his future after Kenny Jackett's exit - and if he's keen to become permanent boss

The Blues assistant boss doesn't expect to be kept around when a successor for Kenny Jackett is appointed.

Gallen joined Pompey in June 2017 when Jackett succeeded Paul Cook in the Fratton Park hot seat.

Having worked together at Millwall, Wolves and Rotherham previously, Gallen's been a popular figure among the players at PO4.

However, the Blues took the decision to part company with Jackett amid a woeful run of form that culminated with a defeat to Salford in the Papa John’s Trophy final at Wembley on Saturday.

The search is now on to find a new supremo, with Daniel Stendel, Neil Harris and Matt Taylor all early candidates.

Gallen is wary whoever the new manager is will want to bring their own backroom staff – and he'll be surplus to requirements.

Before that happens, the former striker will hold the reins and is set to be in charge for tonight’s League One trip to Peterborough.

And he vowed he will continue to give his all for Pompey until he’s told to stand down.

Gallen told The News: ‘Mark Catlin asked me to take the game away, which is no problem as you have to be professional.

‘I'm absolutely delighted and privileged to take the game and been working on Sunday and Monday to get a result and win the game.

‘Our aim is to kickstart the season again – whether I'm here or not. I want to help the players reignite the season and get back on a winning run.

‘The club is looking for new management and usually brings an assistant with him, which is my role.

‘That would normally mean they wouldn't want the old assistant there, which is only right and proper so we have to wait and see.

‘I've been an assistant for 15 years and stepped in numerous times so I'm very confident and experience. I'll give all I've got until I get told not to be here and I want to help the players reignite the season.’

Jackett is keen to return to management as soon as possible.

And Gallen expects the pair to reunite again down the line after admitted he won’t be applying for the vacant Pompey role.

He added: ‘I won't be applying for the job. Kenny brought me here as his assistant and I've always been proud to do that – especially as a club like Pompey.

‘Kenny has to decide who he brings with him elsewhere but I'm pretty convinced our paths will cross again.

‘I've always been proud to be Kenny's assistant and I don't think you've heard the last of us yet.’

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