Michael Eisner speaks out after handing ‘magic’ Mousinho and Hughes new Portsmouth contracts
Michael Eisner has described Rich Hughes and John Mousinho as “totally aligned” with Portsmouth in the week, after handing new contracts to the duo.
The Pompey chairman spoke out after agreeing to tie down the sporting director and head coach to extensions on their respective long-term deals.
Hughes has been in his post at Fratton Park since September 2022, while Mousinho arrived after hanging up his playing boots in January 2023. The two have since masterminded promotion to the Championship for the first time in 13 years.
Eisner told the Portsmouth FC official website [20 September]: “I believe strongly in the power of partnerships to bring the very best out of people in business – I even wrote a book about it – and that counts for sport, too.
“John and Rich have done great things together for Pompey. They are totally aligned to our long-term strategy and both possess the enthusiasm, talent, intelligence and expertise to bring more success to Portsmouth Football Club. I’m very excited for this extension and looking forward to seeing more magic from them.”
Portsmouth tie down key figureheads at Fratton Park
For the long-term stability and progression of Portsmouth, the contract extensions for Hughes and Mousinho are a no-brainer given their success so far.
So many have tried and failed at Pompey down the years in this generation – albeit many in far more turbulent circumstances – but the duo in place now are responsible for steering the club away from the majority of the threat of that happening again.
Since becoming sporting director two years ago, Hughes has signed 38 senior players at Fratton Park – many of whom part of last season’s League One title-winning squad – while Mousinho has won 49.4% of his 83 games in charge to date – losing just 15.
The players and backroom staff appear to be reading from the same page as the figurehead pair, which is recognised by Eisner’s comments on the alignment throughout the club.
Blues fans cannot get enough of seeing their club being run in an organised manner.
In other Portsmouth news, Ian Darke picks out his predicted “future star” in the squad.
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