Portsmouth chief executive Andrew Cullen admits ‘risk’ of losing John Mousinho
Portsmouth have been on the rise ever since of appointing John Mousinho as manager in January 2023.
Mousinho led Portsmouth to the League One title during his first full season in charge in 2023-24, then kept them in the Championship this year.
It has been a fantastic period for everyone associated with the club and a remarkable achievement for Mousinho, considering this is his first managerial role.
However, several other clubs have taken notice of Mousinho’s success, and it’s believed a bigger club could soon approach Portsmouth asking to negotiate with him.
This is fear that has been growing among Pompey fans, especially since Norwich, QPR, Bristol City and several other Championship teams were linked with a move for Mousinho this summer.
Portsmouth chief executive Cullen addresses Mousinho future
Mousinho was answering questions at a fans forum event hosted by BBC Radio Solent on Monday, alongside Marlon Pack, Pompey Women manager Jay Sadler and chief executive Andrew Cullen.
One supporter asked Cullen whether he was confident that the club were doing enough to keep hold of Mousinho and Sadler.
Cullen said: “I think when you’ve got talented professionals who are very good at what they do, who achieve success, there will always be interest from outside into those people.
“All we can try and do is make sure that we continue to develop and try and make sure that we can progress with John and with Jay as well.
“It’s always going to be a risk when you’ve got highly successful people.”
https://x.com/solentsport/status/1952610525348544650Mousinho interest is price of success for Portsmouth
The hierarchy of the football food chain is most apparent when the transfer window is open.
At this time, every football club is looking to steal talented players from teams below them, while praying that a so-called bigger club doesn’t prey on their best players.
It’s unavoidable, and it can happen with managers during any moment of the season.
| Season | Position |
| 2022-23 | 8th in League One |
| 2023-24 | 1st in League One |
| 2024-25 | 16th in Championship |
As long as Portsmouth continue to succeed under Mousinho, there’s the possibility of another club with bigger ambitions asking to negotiate with him.
There are potential reasons for Mousinho reasons to stay loyal, such as the Eisners’ loyalty to him when times were tough last season.
However, he’s an ambitious manager. If the right club came calling, there’s only so much that Pompey could do to keep him.
Pompey fans can only hope that Mousinho continues to develop the team to the point that it can survive without him.
Even then, his departure would be a tough pill to swallow.
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