Danny Cowley is approaching one year at the helm of Portsmouth Football Club, after being appointed as head coach in March 2021.
Following a string of consecutive positive results for Pompey, the former Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town manager saw his contract extended to a long-term contract, as the team saw positivity in the 10 previous matches since his appointment midway through March.
As a player, Cowley saw his playing time cut short due to a career-ending injury in 2007. Prior to his injury, he served at clubs the likes of Dagenham & Redbridge, Boreham Wood, Hornchurch and Concord Rangers in non-league football. He quickly turned to coaching following his injury, being offered an assistant coach’s position with Concord Rangers in 2007. Additionally, Cowley’s brother, Nick, serves as an assistant coach alongside him at Portsmouth. Prior to his position as manager of the previously mentioned Huddersfield and Lincoln City, he also served as head coach/manager at Concord Rangers (2008-15) and Braintree Town (2015-16).
Head Coach Danny Cowley spoke to the media ahead of Saturday:
On his team’s 2-1 win over Burton Albion last time out…
“It was a really important win. I think we had a really good way into the game. Two well-worked goals, a good set-piece goal. Really good ball from Michael Jacobs; a great header from Sean [Raggett].
“We came out in the second half and wanted to get back on the front foot. I thought we did that. We created some really good chances, and then [Burton Albion] just score from out of nowhere on the counter-attack. Credit to the players. We kept out nerve; we found a good way back into the game after conceding. I think when you haven’t won or a while, and there’s only one goal between the two teams, then that creates a king of nervy finish.”
On Michael Jacobs coming back into form of late:
"He’s been exceptional in recent times, and people will rightly criticise us for not playing him earlier. Obviously, we didn’t have him right for the beginning of preseason because he was still coming back from his injury. I think the criticism we’ve had on that is probably fair. The great thing is he’s found his place in the team; kind of adapted some of the strategy for him. I think we’re a better team with him in it.”