Credit: Imago

Joe Elvin

Thu 5 June 2025 17:00, UK

John Mousinho has been linked with a handful of other Championship clubs since leading Portsmouth to Championship safety.

The 39-year-old manager did a fantastic job of avoiding the drop with a limited budget, especially when you consider Pompey’s injury crisis midway through the season.

It was a remarkable feat to go alongside winning the League One title in the previous year.

However, these achievements have led to constant speculation surrounding Mousinho’s future. He has been linked with managerial jobs at Bristol City, Norwich and West Bromwich Albion already this summer.

Mousinho remains the main man at Pompey for now, but these rumours have unsettled Pompey fans at a time when they should be excited about building for the future.

Mousinho to choose Pompey over small stepping stones

Pompey fans are nervous about other Championship clubs poaching Mousinho because they know there’s a limited budget at Fratton Park.

While the teams linked with a move for Mousinho aren’t necessarily ‘bigger clubs’, they do have more money to fund an assault on the Championship’s promotion places.

However, it wouldn’t represent that much of a step-up for him to join a top-half Championship club now.

Don Goodman said as much in a recent interview, as he questioned why would Mousinho leave Pompey to join Bristol City or QPR?

Yes, Mousinho would likely be given a bigger transfer war-chest and perhaps a pay raise to enjoy.

But, he’d also walk into an environment where he’s expected to immediately deliver results. And if he doesn’t deliver the goods in his first season, there’s a significant chance he’d be out of a job.

Mousinho won’t have built up the good will elsewhere that he has at Fratton Park, and the data suggests you get less time than ever to make an impact as a Championship boss these days.

Mousinho can build a legacy at Portsmouth

Mousinho has stated that he’s happy at Pompey and is only focusing on preparing his team for the next season.

Of course, a lot of managers say that until the right club comes knocking on the door.

However, there are a lot of plus sides to remaining at Fratton Park for next season and beyond.

As mentioned, he has built up enough good will to be given time to build something unforgettable. It’s unlikely that the Eisners will hit the panic button and sack him if next season starts slowly. There’s room to create a lasting legacy at Portsmouth.

Mousinho is already the longest-serving manager of this season’s Championship. He’s adored by the Fratton Faithful and has the opportunity to become a legendary figure at the club.

That beats becoming the next ‘journeyman’ manager who bounces from club to club never creating a meaningful legacy with any of them.