John Mousinho had been in talks with Portsmouth for over a week before he was officially announced as the Blues’ new head coach, PompeyNewsNow has been told.
Pompey announced on Friday morning (20 January) that the 36-year-old would replace Danny Cowley at Fratton Park.
BBC Sport’s Chris Wise first revealed on Thursday that Mousinho was the club’s main target after they had interviewed Liam Manning and Ian Foster.
There has been plenty of discussion since the appointment of the former Oxford defender, with there being some suggestions that this was a quickfire move from the Blues’ hierarchy. Talk of Mousinho being contacted within the last couple of days is wide of the mark.
Sources have revealed the new head coach has been in the frame for the job for over a week as the board carried out an in-depth and meticulous search for their new head coach.
This is an appointment which will intrigue large parts of the Fratton faithful and is a change from the norm the club has gone for in the past.
We’ve seen plenty of success from rookie managers over the past couple of seasons, and entrusting an upcoming coach is now becoming more widespread in the modern game.
Vincent Kompany is the perfect example of a player who has stepped into management with ease. The former Manchester City manager was known for being a leader – and it certainly appears those characteristics have stood him in good stead at Turf Moor.
Mousinho comes to Pompey in a similar position, which could see him succeed at Fratton Park – nevertheless, this is a sink-or-swim appointment from Richard Hughes and Andy Cullen.
Photo: Neil Allen
PompeyNewsNow 