'Going to be Portsmouth’s biggest problem' - former Man City and Leeds defender makes Pompey prediction if finances don't improve

Pompey face the prospect of a double whammy if they don’t increase their Championship spending power.

According to former Manchester City and Leeds defender Danny Mills, the Blues run the serious risk of losing manager John Mousinho, who has already been linked with the vacant manager’s job at Bristol City.

But it could get even worse for the Fratton Park outfit, with the one-time England international also predicting relegation back to League One at the end of the 2026-27 campaign if first-team finances are not significantly improved.

Pompey have managed to avoid the drop back down to the third tier of English football twice under Mousinho, who operated with the second-lowest budget in the division this term.

Talks over greater finances were held with the club’s owners, Tornante, before the final game of the season against Birmingham City.

But whether or not that leads to more impressive numbers to work with over the summer and next term remains to be seen.

If not, Mills believes Mousinho will have more than just a potential move to Bristol City to tempt him away from Fratton Park.

He also believes the Blues will pay the ultimate price, with Championship relegation tough to avoid for a third successive season as the division prepares to get stronger in 2026-27.

Speaking to The News via Bet St George, Mills said: ‘John Mousinho has worked miracles in the last two or three seasons on a very low budget, in difficult conditions.

‘I think there may be other offers for the manager, so retaining him is going to be Portsmouth’s biggest problem.

‘The Championship gets harder and more condensed every single season. It won't be easy for Portsmouth next season.

‘Teams dropping down from the Premier League pose a threat to everyone. You're going to have Burnley in there, that's not going to be easy. You're also going to have West Ham or Tottenham in there, who you would expect to be at the top of the league or thereabouts. Wrexham as well should challenge.

‘If they have a very low budget again, it's going to be hard. It's going to be tough. Their biggest concern is whether they keep hold of John Mousinho.’

For your next Pompey read: Portsmouth must overcome another major obstacle if they want to sign World Cup-bound Gustavo Caballero