'A gentleman to deal with' - tribute to Jackett

[Getty Images] Kenny Jackett arrived at Fratton Park at a strange time. The club had just won promotion from League Two but manager Paul Cook had walked away to join Wigan Athletic. Michael Eisner's purchase of the club from the Pompey Supporters Trust was being completed. The League Two promotion side was breaking up, with key players Enda Stevens and Michael Doyle having already departed. For the first 18 months, Jackett did as well anyone possibly could have in the Pompey hotseat. In his first season, his newly-promoted side threatened the League One playoffs. In the second, the team were top at Christmas. Despite a memorable EFL Trophy final win over Sunderland in March, his team couldn't quite reach the Championship. The 88 points won that season was an excellent achievement. Promotion on a modest budget would have been a stunning effort. Jackett kept his emotions to himself. He would stand arms folded on the touchline deep in thought. He once explained he was always trying to think if he needed to change something or make a substitution. He seemed the calmest man in the stadium. It was difficult to get to know Kenny and to understand exactly what made him tick. He kept the media at arm's length, perhaps understandably so. But he also kept his players at a distance. Something he felt made it easier to make difficult decisions on who to play and when. Being distant to the media is different to being rude though. He was a gentleman to deal with, happy to answer absolutely any question thrown his way at length and always polite. Many interviews and press conferences are delayed or late. Not Kenny's. His weekly chat with the media started as the clock struck one. I genuinely cannot remember an occasion he was even five minutes late. He couldn't achieve his ultimate goal of winning promotion at Portsmouth but he did a better job than many give him credit for. His football wasn't always the prettiest but he knew how to organise a team. To manage in the EFL for nearly 20 years requires talent, determination and incredible mental strength. Kenny had those in abundance. His passing at the age of just 64 is a sad day. Latest Portsmouth news, analysis and fan views