Portsmouth CEO Mark Catlin defends club's managerial stance and insists 'Kenny Jackett is our manager'

‘Kenny Jackett is our manager’.
Pompey manager Kenny Jackett, left, with club chairman Michael Eisner, centre, and CEO Mark CatlinPompey manager Kenny Jackett, left, with club chairman Michael Eisner, centre, and CEO Mark Catlin
Pompey manager Kenny Jackett, left, with club chairman Michael Eisner, centre, and CEO Mark Catlin

That was Pompey’s chief executive Mark Catlin’s vehement response after being asked about the manager’s position on Utilita Football’s British Football Podcast.

Jackett has come under fire from sections of supporters following the Blues’ latest failed promotion bid, with Oxford United ending their hopes of a return to the Championship following a penalty shootout win in last month’s League One play-off semi-final.

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Those fans have called for his dismissal as they demand a change in approach ahead of a fourth season in League One.

Catlin acknowledged emotions have been running high since that disappointing night at the Kassam Stadium and has sympathy for supporters’ frustrations.

But taking all factors into consideration ‘with a clam head' - including the club's current financial situation amid the coronavirus, the need for stability, player sales and the manager’s track record during his time at Fratton Park – the Pompey chief said the club would remain loyal to Jackett.

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Catlin, who this week revealed how club was haemorrhaging £700,000 per month as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, said: ‘As a club we're very loyal.

‘And as a CEO you have to take a broad view of the whole business.

‘As I've said before, a business that's losing so much money and as a football club with 88 points, just missing out on two points this year, two cup finals, player sales, I have to take an overall view of the whole business.

‘And while we're all emotional about the football side of it, you have to think with a calm head.

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‘Look, understandably, at every football club there's people who don’t agree with the manager's tactics, want a change of manager, and obviously we take all those opinions on board.

‘But, ultimately, Kenny's our manager, we're built on stability, we're built on loyalty - that's what we're about - so until something changes, which I can't see in the forseeable future, Kenny is our manager.’

Catlin added: ‘I think Kenny is now our longest-serving manager at Portsmouth since the 1980s and he's only been here three years.

‘I grew up a West Ham fan and for our first 100 years we had 10 managers.

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‘As a person, I like to see myself as being very loyal, very sincere, and every business I've had has been built on that stability.

‘Obviously, someone can have an absolutely terrible year and you might have to act.

‘But in regards of having a 52-per-cent win percentage, going a whole season unbeaten at home and three great years in what he's brought to the club financially, given these uncertain times, again, people are entitled to their opinions.

‘But our decision is that Kenny will be staying as our manager.'

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