Portsmouth announced on Friday night that Danny Cowley will be the club's new manager with his younger brother, Nicky Cowley, assisting him as they sign a short term deal.

Kenny Jackett was sacked by Pompey following their defeat to Salford City, on penalties, in the  Papa John’s Trophy final last Saturday.   

The duo will take immediate charge of Portsmouth and will face Ipswich Town in their first game with the club.

The Cowley's footballing CVs

Danny started his playing career at Wimbledon FC at a youth level before moving to Dagenham & Redbridge. He then went on to feature for a range of teams in the South divisions of non-league football before ending his career at Concord Rangers.

In the 2007/08 season, Danny was the assistant manager at the Beach Boys before becoming the co-first team manager, alongside Danny Scopes at the start of the 2008/09 season. He went on the manage at the National League South side for seven years alongside his brother, Nicky, helping them win three promotions in the non-league pyramid. They also reached the FA Cup First Round proper for the first time in the club's history.

In 2015, Cowley became the manager of Braintree Town. In his only season at the club, he recorded their highest finish in the National League South (third). 

The following season, the Cowley's were appointed the manager and assistant of Lincoln City in the National League. They helped secure the Imps their return to the Football League after a six year wait. He also reached the FA Cup quarter-final, the first time a non-league side had reached the last eight. 

In addition, Lincoln also won the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley against Shrewsbury Town, where they won 1-0.  

In 2019, the Cowley brothers also guided the Imps to the third division of English football, League One. 

In September 2019, the two brothers left Lincoln for Championship side Huddersfield Town who had lost the 11 games they played before the change in management.  They both signed three year contracts. 

Towards the latter stages of the season, Town beat West Bromwich Albion to secure their places in the Championship for another season. However, Phil Hodginson sacked the brothers just two days later. The Huddersfield chairman stated that the two parties had different visions heading forward.

Situation at Fratton Park

There are only seven points separating sixth place and 15th place in a very competitive league with Pompey sitting 10th in the League One table. Portsmouth are only three points off the play-off positions with two games in hand over sixth placed Charlton Athletic.

With 12 fixtures left, all but one opponent are in the bottom half of the league as Pompey push for promotion to the Championship. Up first, Portsmouth face Ipswich on Saturday before travelling to Shrewsbury Town the following weekend. They also face Rochdale, Wigan Athletic, Burton Albion, Crewe Alexandre, MK Dons, Swindon Town, Bristol City and Accrington Stanley in a very busy April where the brothers will be looking to pounce on the struggling teams.  

Pompey finish the season with games against AFC Wimbledon before facing Accrington Stanley for the second time in 11 days.

Key quotes from the Cowley's

“This is a club with unbelievable tradition, so the board didn’t need to sell it to us. We’re proud and privileged to be here", said Danny Cowley on the Portsmouth FC website. 

“Hopefully they saw two hard-working people who love the game and we’re delighted to be at Pompey.

“We always have the ambition of leaving a club in a better position than we found it. We’ll be doing everything in order to achieve that here.”

Nicky Cowley added: “We’re looking forward to the challenge and this really is a great opportunity for us.

“The experience we’ve had in the game can hopefully stand us in good stead to have a strong finish to the season.”