Mousinho 'not desperate' to leave Pompey amid Robins link
John Mousinho has been in charge at Portsmouth since January 2023
- Published
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says he is not currently looking to leave the club but is flattered by stories linking him with a potential move to Championship rivals Bristol City.
The 39-year-old, who was appointed in January 2023, led Pompey to the League One title in 2024, has successfully kept the club in the Championship for the past two seasons and is holding talks with players, agents and owners over the next few days to plan for the next campaign.
"I'm not currently in a situation where I'm desperate to leave the football club and I stick by what I said on Saturday - I love the club and love the support I've had from day one," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.
"I don't want it thrown back in my face that I said 'No, I'm staying here forever'. I think that's a lot more disrespectful for fans than the other way.
"But I'm fully focused on Portsmouth, the talks over the next couple of days and the game on Saturday. This is the football club that gave me my chance and I've had a really good time here so I just try to keep it as open and honest as possible."
Bristol City are currently 13th in the Championship table, five places and five points better off than Portsmouth, but are looking for a permanent replacement for ex-head coach Gerhard Struber who was sacked in March.
Former England boss Roy Hodgson has been in charge for the final seven games of the season but has made it clear he will not be taking the job on a full-time basis.
Mousinho admits the rumoured interest from Ashton Gate is a positive for everyone at Fratton Park.
"It's obviously flattering first and foremost. If there is interest, it's on their side; I haven't spoken to Bristol City and they haven't made an approach to the football club, so at this stage it's just that," he said.
"There have been other moments like this where there have been these questions asked about whether I'm staying so it's nothing new. It's a massive compliment to myself and to the football club as well over what we've built over the past few years."
Portsmouth finish their Championship season with a home game against Birmingham City on Saturday (12:30 BST), while Bristol City host Stoke City.
