Promotion is Kenny Jackett's sole focus - not Portsmouth contract situation

The Blues boss' current deal with the club comes to an end next summer.

But Jackett stressed his sole focus is on the short-term and not what the future holds for him past the current campaign.

The 58-year-old has faced a difficult summer, with large sections of the Fratton faithful directing frustrations at him after a second successive failed attempt to get out of League One via the play-offs.

Jackett was heavily scrutinised for his style of play in the two legs against Oxford and team selection - particularly the decision to bench captain Tom Naylor for both semi-final ties.

A shaky start in the curtain-raiser at Stevenage last weekend – in which Pompey needed a penalty shoot-out to see off league lower opposition in the Carabao Cup – hardly helped matters.

Yet, the Blues boss has reiterated his desire to push forward and deliver promotion in his fourth season at the club.

And he pinpointed a fast start in League One as a key to achieving that.

But what the future holds beyond this season is not currently a concern for Jackett.

Speaking at the BBC Radio Solent Fans' Forum, the Blues boss said: ‘It is difficult to see the future.

‘My focus at the moment is making sure we get off to a good start and building the foundations for what is a really important season.

‘I do find it quite an exciting season.

‘We’re in a situation now with the squad where we’re close, we believe we’re close in terms of what we want to do.

‘When you’re then obviously talking about myself, obviously the details of my contract are private.

‘But, similarly, as manager I understand it’s my responsibility to concentrate on the here and now and get the club off to a as good a start as possible.

‘I do understand a certain amount of it is made public and made public by the club (contract).

‘But for myself to talk about that, the terms and conditions of anyone’s contracts are private.’

Jackett signed a two-year deal when he was named boss in June 2017.

The Blues boss put pen to paper on a two-year extension just four months into his tenure.