Portsmouth and Bristol City compete for intermediate positions in Championship. John Mousinho, coach of the first club, commented for the first time on the rumors linking him to the second.
The 39-year-old coach has been in charge of Portsmouth since January 2023. Ele took over the team in League One and won the third division title in 2024. The club remains in Championship for the following two seasons. Mousinho is now participating in internal conversations about planning the next campaign.
Mousinho denies rushing to change clubs
The coach spoke to BBC Radio Solent. Ele stated that he is not in a situation where he wants to leave the club urgently. Mousinho recalled a statement made the previous Saturday. Ele said he loves Portsmouth and the support he has received since day one.
“I don’t want people to throw it in my face that I said I would stay forever. Acho that this would be more disrespectful to the fans than the other way around,” he added. The coach guaranteed full focus on the dialogues over the next few days and on Saturday’s game. Ele considers Portsmouth the club that gave him his first chance as a coach.
Mousinho avoided definitive promises. Ele preferred to maintain transparency with the fans. The coach has already experienced similar moments of speculation on other occasions. Para he, the external interest represents praise for the work built in recent years.
- Portsmouth occupies a lower position in the table compared to Bristol City
- Mousinho has been leading the team since League One’s promotion
- Bristol City seeks permanent coach after Gerhard Struber’s dismissal
- Roy Hodgson only leads the team until the end of the current season
Happy Monday. 😎 pic.twitter.com/CpZfdOw0Yk
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) April 27, 2026
Trajetória from Mousinho into Portsmouth
The coach took office in January 2023. At the time, he was still playing for Oxford United. The choice was seen as atypical as it was his first experience as a head coach. Portsmouth lived a long fast away from the second division.
In just over a year, Mousinho led the team to the League One title. The campaign included a consistent winning streak and a style of play that pleased the fans. The club returned to Championship after 12 seasons of absence. The coach has lost few league games since his arrival.
Nas two seasons later, Portsmouth established itself in the English second division. Mousinho participated in more than 150 games in charge of the team. Ele has previous experience as a player and also as president of the PFA, the athletes’ union in Inglaterra. The current contract runs until 2028.
The coach highlighted the constant support from Fratton Park fans. Ele mentioned the pride of representing the club that opened doors for him in his coaching career. Current conversations involve players, agents and the board to define the squad for next season.
Bristol City seeks permanent replacement
Bristol City appears in 13th place than Championship. The team has a five point and five position advantage over Portsmouth. The club is looking for a permanent coach. Gerhard Struber was fired in March. Roy Hodgson, former England coach, took over on an interim basis for the last seven games.
Hodgson has made it clear that he does not intend to take on the role permanently. Aos 78 years old, he returns to technical command after a period away from the field. Bristol City had previous spells with the coach in the 1980s. The board plans to define the successor for the 2026/27 season with the arrival of a new sporting director.
Mousinho commented on the rumor of interest from the rival club. Ele found the subject matter flattering but denied any direct contact. “If there is interest, it comes from their side. Não I talked to Bristol City and they didn’t look for Portsmouth”, he said. The coach treated the topic as something common in his career.
Preparação for the end of the season
Portsmouth closes out Championship at home against Birmingham City. The game is scheduled for Saturday, at 12:30 pm (Brasília time). Bristol City receives Stoke City in the same round. Ambas teams are still looking for points to improve the final classification.
Mousinho stays focused on internal activities. Ele participates in meetings to evaluate the cast and plan signings. The coach avoided projecting future scenarios regarding his permanence. Ele preferred to reinforce the current commitment to day-to-day life at the club.
The Portsmouth fans follow the statements closely. Mousinho has built a positive relationship since the promotion. The team is fighting for a secure position in the table, far from the relegation zone. Recent work includes maintenance in the English second division with a competitive squad.
Ficha technical trainer
- Nome: John Mousinho
- Idade: 39 years old
- Cargo on Portsmouth: since January 20, 2023
- Conquistas: title of League One 2023/24
- Jogos in command: more than 150
- Formação preferred: 4-2-3-1
Bristol City remains without a definition regarding the future coach. The board analyzes names for the long-term project. Mousinho remains one of the options mentioned by the press, but without confirmation of an official approach. The coach prioritizes his commitment to Portsmouth until the end of the season.
