West Brom ‘to sound out hiring John Mousinho’, Portsmouth owners to react – Exclusive
Portsmouth may have to put up a fight to keep hold of John Mousinho for the foreseeable future.
The Pompey boss has done a tremendous job since first arriving at Fratton Park in January 2023, a move which saw him instantly end his playing career at Oxford United midway through the season.
Two-and-a-half years on, Mousinho – who turned 39 earlier this week – has now not only achieved a League One promotion where many failed, but kept Portsmouth in the Championship on a tight budget.
Ian Darke acknowledges Mousinho exit ‘danger’ at Fratton Park
With sustained managerial performance comes interest, and Portsmouth will be on amber alert over the future of their prized head coach.
What Mousinho has achieved in his first managerial job is superb, and after initial scepticism following his appointment, he is now lauded as a hero on the island city.
Premier League commentator and Blues supporter Ian Darke has admitted he is concerned Mousinho could be snatched from the South Coast, and has mooted managerless Championship rivals Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion as potential destinations.
“There’s certainly danger of Mousinho leaving, because football is a village and what he’s done in his first job as a manager is very good,” Darke exclusively told Pompey News.
“He’s young, articulate and bright, and he’s got a team promoted and then kept them up on a low budget. The likes of Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion may want to have a look at him – he will certainly have Championship interest.
“It’s very clear what the Eisners have to do here – they have to make sure he wants to stay with Pompey by offering him the kind of money to persuade him it’s not going to just be another relegation fight to sign up for. There has to be the prospect of advancement over the next couple of years.”
Portsmouth must guarantee Mousinho healthy budget
As echoed by Darke, Portsmouth must ensure Mousinho and Rich Hughes have a sizeable budget to work with to take the side further.
Mousinho, Hughes and the backroom staff at Fratton have operated with one hand tied behind their back since promotion, and will be keen to spend an increased level of transfer funding – something the Pompey boss has revealed to be expected this summer.
| Championship – longest-serving managers | Spell in charge |
| Michael Carrick – Middlesbrough | 2 years, 186 days |
| John Mousinho – Portsmouth | 2 years, 98 days |
| Daniel Farke – Leeds United | 1 year, 298 days |
Established Championship rivals like Norwich and West Brom – who have each been in the Premier League in the 2020s – would, of course, be tempting moves.
However, for now, Mousinho looks more than content to continue the project at a place he is adored.