Paul Merson shares ‘unbelievable’ John Mousinho verdict after Portsmouth title win
Paul Merson has labelled John Mousinho “unbelievable” after he led Portsmouth to the League One title.
Pompey secured the league title in dramatic fashion against Barnsley at Fratton Park, twice coming from behind and scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes to win 3-2.
This is Mousinho’s first job as a head coach and Merson has credited the novice manager’s impact since arriving at the club.
Speaking on Sky Sports News [9:49pm, 16 April], he said: “Yeah [Mousinho has been an] absolutely unbelievable [appointment].
“I mean, when it happened, I thought, ‘This is a bit [left] field’, but yeah, [Portsmouth have] been absolutely outstanding.
“I think they lost, what, four games all season? I mean, that [takes] some doing in that league, you know, where everybody beats everybody.”
John Mousinho has worked his magic at Portsmouth
Mousinho’s appointment in January 2023 was met with scepticism in many quarters, given the former Burton Albion and Oxford United defender had no prior managerial experience.
However, the results of his first full season in charge are unequivocal – 27 wins, 13 draws and just four defeats from 44 League One games en route to the title and, with it, automatic promotion back to the Championship after 12 years away.
Portsmouth have been particularly impressive at the back this term, letting in just 39 goals – only Derby County, who sit in second place, have conceded fewer, with 37.
It is a dramatic improvement following three years of missing out on the playoffs entirely, with two eighth-place finishes either side of a 10th-place season – which only serves to further highlight how impressive the job Mousinho has done is.
As Merson says, the decision to appoint a head coach who, on paper, was a risky choice now appears inspired as Pompey turn their attention towards tackling the Championship in 2024/25.
In other Portsmouth news, Tim Sherwood and Merson reacted to Portsmouth’s title win.
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