Neil Critchley 'disappointed' by the decision of Blackpool's play-off rivals Portsmouth to sack Kenny Jackett

The 59-year-old was axed on Sunday after Portsmouth’s defeat to League Two side Salford City in their delayed 2020 EFL Trophy final.

Jackett, who joined the Fratton Park outfit in 2017, leaves with Pompey seventh in League One, 10 points off the top two and two points outside the play-off places.

Pompey have won just one of their last seven league games, a run that includes a 1-0 defeat to Blackpool

Jackett’s departure comes after Ipswich Town, another of Pool’s rivals for the play-offs, opted to recently sack Paul Lambert and bring in Paul Cook.

“It shows you what a volatile industry we work in when two very good, experienced managers lose their jobs at two big football clubs,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“I was very disappointed when I heard the news yesterday about Kenny because he’s a proper gentleman, a great football man and a very experienced manager that has been very successful.

“It’s never nice when you hear about other managers losing their jobs and it wasn’t nice hearing that yesterday.”

Elsewhere, it looks as though there will be another managerial departure at one of Blackpool's top six rivals.

Lee Bowyer looks set to leave Charlton Athletic, who sit eighth, two points adrift of the play-offs.

The 44-year-old has been linked with a move to his former club Birmingham City, who are reportedly set to sack Aitor Karanka.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here