What new Portsmouth sporting director Richard Hughes said about Danny Cowley and his summer recruitment in first interview since arriving at Fratton Park

In his first interview since arriving at Fratton Park from Forest Green Rovers, the 34-year-old admitted working with Danny Cowley and his coaching team has so far proven to be a ‘brilliant experience’.

Hughes also praised the ‘excellent’ job the recruitment team did during the summer to have the Blues competing for promotion this season.

Cowley was given a voice in the process to identify former sporting director Roberto Gagliardi’s Fratton Park replacement, having worked with a director of football at both Lincoln and Huddersfield.

The Blues head coach recognises the necessity for such a role – and it seems both he and Hughes have got off to a good start working alongside each other.

Speaking to the club’s media department, Hughes praised the work ethic of Cowley and his backroom team.

'It’s been a real eye-opening experience,’ he said.

'I don’t think I've worked with a coaching staff that's as diligent as we've got in place here.

'They work every hour that God sends trying to be the best versions of themselves and, from speaking to Danny, one of the things he's always led upon is trying to be better than we were yesterday, and I think it's great that he says that because he embodies it, he believes it.

‘They're super diligent, they've got great ideas on how they want the team to play and the standards that they want to set, also hard-working and diligent in terms of being involved in recruitment and trying to be as involved as they can be in the football club.

'So it's been a brilliant experience. They're incredibly hard-working, humble, down to earth people and I'm sure we're going to have a really good relationship going forward.’

After a 10th-placed finish last season, Cowley continued to put his stamp on the Pompey first team with another busy transfer window in the summer.

That saw 13 players leave and 12 arrive through the doors at Fratton Park, including the likes of Colby Bishop, Marlon Pack, Dane Scarlett and Owen Dale.

And, once again, Hughes – who will play a huge role in future transfer windows – was enthusiastic by the work that had been carried out before his arrival.

He added: ‘Danny, Nicky, Phil (Boardman), all the coaching staff, they've worked really diligently during the summer and have put together a really strong core of players.

'I think some of the work that has gone on has been excellent to get some good players into the building.

'They've used the loan market well to help bolster the squad and also brought in some players with good experience at the level and even experience above it and seen the likes of Michael Morrison and Marlon Pack come into this building.

‘The standards they set and the way in which they work is a great example to the younger players, the people like Jay Mingi, Zak Swanson in the group.

'They can help them develop and it gives them a real sign post to the high standards you need to achieve continued success in this game.

'So there's been a lot of really good work done with both the players and the actual individuals brought into the football club.’