Surprise head coach job title ‘irrelevant’ as Cowley focuses on improving his players
DANNY COWLEY’S Pompey appointment had long been anticipated.
Yet an unveiling as ‘head coach’ certainly caught everyone by surprise.
In the Blues’ history, the man at Fratton Park’s helm has barely deviated from the description of ‘manager’.
Aside from FA Cup-winning Jack Tinn, portrayed as a ‘secretary-manager’, the position’s title has been largely unaffected over time.
That is until Cowley’s arrival as head coach until the season’s end, with brother Nicky serving as his assistant.
He said: ‘Titles are irrelevant to Nicky and I.
‘We have come from Concord Rangers, where we had a very small support staff, and for us, if we need to fill the water bottles and pick the cones, then that's exactly what we will do.
‘I like people that are humble and are willing to put the team before themselves.
‘I’m not sure what (the title of) head coach means for us.
‘We wake up every morning trying to help the players to get better, that is our absolute ambition every single morning.
‘Can we improve them, can we make them better footballers, can we help them as people, and we include our staff in that as well.’
Joe Gallen had served as caretaker for six days following Kenny Jackett’s dismissal on Sunday, March 14.
The former assistant boss oversaw the Blues in their
1-0 defeat at Peterborough last Tuesday night – and now remains in the backroom.
As for the new head coach, when asked directly if it was his idea to introduce the title, he shrugged off the debate and focused on challenges ahead.
He added: ‘I think Pompey is a huge football club and it needs a clear identity, a clear style, and a clear way of working.
‘Continuity is something hard to find in football, particularly in terms of personnel.
‘If you can't always keep continuity in terms of personnel, make sure you can in terms of the idea. ‘What is the blueprint? What is the DNA?
‘If you can create that continuity then naturally all of the decisions you make become much much clearer, whether regarding process, recruitment of players or recruitment of staff.
‘It has to be joined up. We may only be here for the next 11 games, but, I can promise you this, every decision we make will be with the club’s best interests at heart.
‘We will actually take a really long-term view.’
16
Pompey’s 2-1 win over Ipswich was their 16th league victory in 35 games this season