Portsmouth: Southampton boss Russell Martin reveals text message to John Mousinho
Southampton boss Russell Martin says his congratulatory text to Portsmouth manager John Mousinho does not mean he has taken any joy from Pompey’s promotion.
Mousinho’s men were confirmed as League One champions with a dramatic 3-2 win over Barnsley at Fratton Park on Tuesday (16 April) to secure a return to the Championship for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
It means there could be a return for the South Coast derby next season, though Saints are still aiming to get promoted to the top flight.
Martin, in quotes reported by the Daily Echo (19 April), revealed how he reached out to Mousinho after his achievement.
“He is a good guy and is really intelligent,” said Martin. “To stress, this is about John and not Portsmouth. I texted him yesterday to say ‘You’re making this management lark look easy.’
“Andy Cullen, the chief executive of Portsmouth, is a guy who gave me a massive opportunity at MK Dons and someone who I have a lot of time and respect for.
“I messaged him as well. I’m pleased the young British manager is getting an opportunity again. I’m pleased for John personally because he’s a good person.
“I’m pleased for Andy because he’s a really good person. It doesn’t mean I’m pleased that Portsmouth Football Club got promoted.
“But I also think it’s only a good thing for football down the South Coast. For them to do what they’ve done and the way they’ve done it is a great achievement.
“Congratulations to them and now it’s our job to make sure we experience our own success in a couple of weeks.”
Russell Martin congratulates Portsmouth boss John Mousinho
The Echo explained how Mousinho and Martin played alongside each other for England colleges under-18s, so the too are familiar with each other before taking on rival jobs on the South Coast.
It was a nice touch from Martin to reach out to Mousinho but make no bones about it, there is absolutely no love lost between these rivals, and boy would it great to have this fierce derby back on the calendar next season.
Regardless, though, Pompey and Mousinho can congratulate themselves on a job well done having dominated League One this season and supporters can revel in the fact that they are now another step closer back to the promised land of the Premier League.
Pompey fans have certainly been through the ringer since the last time they were in the top flight but the latest achievement on the journey back to where they want to be has been a hugely impressive one.
In other Portsmouth news, Paul Merson had this to say about Mousinho.
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