John Mousinho exit alarm bell rung as Michael Eisner backed for Portsmouth talks
John Mousinho has defied the initial scepticism of his appointment back in January 2023 to become one of the comparatively great Portsmouth managers of this century.
In his first-ever managerial job, Mousinho has succeeded where others failed and took Pompey into the Championship, before maintaining the Blues’ position in the second tier ahead of next season.
Portsmouth fans also appreciate the fact he and his squad managed the achievement with extensive injury troubles, and one of the league’s smallest budgets.
Eisner ‘must persuade’ Mousinho to stay at Portsmouth
Mousinho‘s stock has risen considerably over the past 12 months, as he steers Portsmouth back to where the supporters feel they belong.
Fratton Park was dying for Championship football again and now it has been secured in back-to-back seasons.
With links building over divisional rivals potentially snatching Mousinho from under Pompey’s noses with the promise of greater funding, some sections of the Fratton faithful have become slightly apprehensive.
TV commentator and Blues fan Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, believes while a top-six push may be out of Portsmouth’s reach next season, a sure sign of progress would be to finish inside the top half.
Darke also insisted that Michael Eisner and the Tornante Group must convince Mousinho there is a realistic project in place in PO4 rather than accelerating the process at a club with deeper pockets.
“Portsmouth will want to push on. I don’t think people should be talking about a play-off push or anything like that for next season – we’ve only just arrived and been there for one year,” he said.
“I think a progression up the table to maybe thinking of a top-half finish next season is a realistic way of looking at things. What they need to convince Mousinho of is that the budget will be ambitious and not just to exist in the Championship.
“Michael Eisner will eventually need to persuade Mousinho that his future belongs at Fratton Park. The danger with Mousinho is that he could think about it and wonder what more he can do if there’s no proper investment.”
Pompey boss has revealed budget assurances
Mousinho did make clear recently that Portsmouth would be offered more to spend in the transfer market this summer.
The Eisners have prioritised investing in the infrastructure around the city, with Fratton Park and Copnor Road benefitting from millions of pounds’ worth of development works.
| Lowest wage bills – Championship 2024-25 | Annual wages paid |
| PORTSMOUTH | £7.2million |
| Plymouth Argyle | £9million |
| Queens Park Rangers | £10.8million |
| Oxford United | £11million |
Fans, of course, want to see capable players brought in and exciting signings glossing the squad – and the coming months are huge in that regard as the financial powerhouses of Birmingham City and Wrexham join from League One.