PORTLAND United interim boss Gary Bailey remains tight-lipped on his future, but admitted discussions are “ongoing” on the club’s chosen pathway for the season ahead.

Bailey re-joined the Blues in late January as temporary manager and oversaw 16 fixtures in all competitions, picking up 16 points from 15 league games as Portland finished 15th in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

And Bailey, who is assisting reserves’ boss Justin Faulkner as the Blues’ second string wrap up their season, feels a decision on Portland’s first-team leadership will be made in the “not too distant future”.

He said: “We said that it would be an interim period and that’s what I’ve seen out. We’ll sit down as a club and as a committee to discuss the best way forward for the club long-term.

“Discussions are ongoing and it’s a decision that will be made in the not too distant future, where the club sees themselves going.

“There’s a few meetings to be had and when all the parties come to a decision, wherever it goes, my decision on where I go from there will go one way or another. I’ve enjoyed being back, but it’s too early to tell.”

Bailey also admitted he had never taken over as boss midway through a season, but felt compelled to help the club he left at the end of the previous title-winning campaign.

He said: “I’ve never taken over halfway through the season, it was a short notice thing. I didn’t really have much time to give it any thought.

“The call came and I answered the club. It was never going to be easy and wasn’t going to be without its pitfalls.

“It panned out how I thought it was going to and it’s never ideal for the club or the players.”

He added: “The reserves are playing and I’m still playing an active part in helping Justin fulfil the reserves’ fixtures. I haven’t walked away from it just because the first team is finished.

“I’m still involved but indirectly on a football level. Once the season is finished a decision will be made and that will be what’s right for the club.”