Only natural’ for interest in Mousinho – Hughes
Portsmouth expect interest from other clubs in boss John Mousinho this summer, sporting director Richard Hughes has admitted.
Mousinho, 39, was appointed to his first managerial role at Fratton Park in January 2023 and has already etched his name into club folklore.
He guided Pompey from 15th in League One to finish eighth in his first campaign before winning the title last term and then guiding the Blues to a 16th-placed finish in their first season back in the Championship.
Mousinho has been linked with the vacant coaching roles at West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City but Hughes told BBC Radio Solent he hopes his head coach will stick with the “exciting project” he is building.
“This club is incredibly special and has got a real unique character around it,” Hughes said.
“It’s exciting for me and John. There’s scope to progress and build the club and I know that’s something that really appeals to John.
“I’m sure there absolutely will be interest in John, and rightly so because he’s done a terrific job in the time he’s been with us.
“There’s likely to be people that want to have those conversations but I know John is happy, he loves the area, he loves the team and the project.
“It’s natural in football if people do well there’s likely to be interest but our expectation is to keep moving forward and keep progressing, that way we can keep the group and the staff together, add to the squad and keep making everything stronger, better and keep delivering on the pitch.”
Pompey player contract talks next week
Portsmouth are planning talks with out-of-contract players next week.
Boss John Mousinho says he will not tell players of any decisions about their futures until after Saturday’s final Championship game of the season at home to Hull City (12:30 BST).
“We’ve had a couple of meetings this week with players who are in contract but we didn’t want to distract any of the out-of-contract players because it’s unfair before the weekend,” Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.
“Any conversations we’ve had this week have been very straightforward and any of the ones which take more care and diligence we’ll do on Monday.”
Defenders Zak Swanson and Cohen Bramall are two of the first-team players whose deals are due to expire at the end of the season, although Pompey do retain an option to extend Swanson’s contract.
Mousinho admits they have not made final decisions on everyone’s future.
“We’re still mulling over a few things and we have a couple of meetings on Friday with the board where we want to check things first before we make any decisions,” he added.
“The conversations where you’re letting players go aren’t great but there’s a lot of reward when you give a new contract but ultimately they’re not nice conversations a lot of the time because you’re talking about people’s livelihoods so you have to tread carefully.”
Portsmouth stuck with Mousinho – and it has paid off
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says the club could have changed managers during the season after some poor away defeats, but chose to stick with the 38-year-old, who signed an extension on his long-term contract in September.
The side have not been comfortable on the road this season, winning just three games compared with 15 losses.
Some of their heaviest defeats include a 4-0 defeat at Derby County in December, and a 6-1 humbling at Stoke City in October.
Both Derby and Stoke are beneath Pompey in the Championship table and in threat of relegation.
“Let’s not beat around the bush – there were times this season where they could have looked at some of those heavy away defeats and thought, well, maybe that’s the time to change,” Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.
However, the club’s loyalty appears to have been the right call.
The Englishman guided Portsmouth to securing a second season in the Championship on Monday when Colby Bishop scored the winner in their 1-0 victory over Watford, as well as earning the adoration of the fans.
