David Prutton drops ‘Tremendous’ Mousinho verdict after what he’s seen Portsmouth do
John Mousinho’s feats at Portsmouth have been sensational since he was appointed in 2023.
The manager took over a struggling Pompey side who were 15th in the third tier at the time of his appointment and turned them into League One winners in just over a year.
Portsmouth’s return to the Championship has been a dream for many years after over a decade away from the second tier, yet Mousinho made the task look easy.
Now, after seven points from Pompey’s last three matches, the club has ensured that they will remain in the Championship next season despite their difficult start.
And his feats are certainly not going unnoticed.
Mousinho is doing an ‘unbelievable’ job at Portsmouth
After yet another impressive feat, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has labelled the Pompey manager as “tremendous” in his preview for the upcoming matches.
There is no doubt that Portsmouth and Mousinho have faced challenges this season. The club did not win any of their first nine Championship games, and last season’s top scorer, Colby Bishop, did not play until November.
Even recently, some Portsmouth fans called for Mousinho to be sacked after their late defeat to Coventry.
Yet, the club overcame all these challenges to secure survival with two games to spare and could even finish in the top half.
| John Mousinho’s record at Portsmouth | |
| Games | 122 |
| Wins | 55 |
| Draws | 34 |
| Losses | 33 |
| Win percentage | 45.08 per cent |
Now, Prutton has put aside his Southampton past to praise Mousinho for the job he has done at Portsmouth as he previewed their upcoming match against Sheffield Wednesday.
He told Sky Sports‘ Essential EFL podcast (April 24): “First and foremost, even with my Southampton ties from back in the day, John Mousinho stand up my friend, a tremendous job. Let’s go 2-2.”
Mousinho needs a new contract at Portsmouth
While Mousinho only signed a new contract in September, the manager deserves a new deal for his achievements this season.
Despite the challenges facing him, he has overcome each one to earn a respectable finish.
Mousinho has been central to everything that has gone right at Portsmouth over the past few years, and a new contract would be a massive show of faith.
Signings such as Josh Murphy, who picked up numerous end-of-season awards, have been masterful.
It could also help keep away potential suitors this summer. Many clubs in the Championship have recently let go of their managers, and they may see Mousinho as a potential target.
If Portsmouth want to remain competitive and continue their rise, they must hold onto Mousinho no matter the cost.