Portsmouth boss John Mousinho responds to Bristol City managerial links
John Mousinho has been speaking for the first time since reports emerged that Bristol City are keen to make him their new head coach.
John Mousinho has told The News he’s had no contact from Bristol City regarding their vacant manager’s job.
The Pompey boss also added the Blues have not been approached by the Robins amid reports linking him with a move to Ashton Gate.
Speculation regarding the 39-year-old’s Fratton future has been growing ever since he guided the Blues to Championship safety.
Talk of a switch to City then intensified earier this week amid reports that the Robins had made a ‘fresh approach’ for the Pompey head coach.
Mousinho. however, has knocked back any suggestion that negotiations have begun with the Bristol outfit, who currently have former England boss Roy Hodgson in interim charge.
When asked by The News about the reports, he responded: ‘They’re exactly that at the moment, reports!
‘It's actually at this stage a question to ask Bristol City, not me. I've not had any contact from the club. Portsmouth haven't had any contact from the club.
‘Always, when these sort of things come up, it's flattering to myself and to the football club, but it's absolutely not my focus at the moment.
‘My focus is everything we've spoken about there over the next couple of days and the game at the weekend, speaking to all the boys.
‘That's my job and that's what I'm going to hone in on.’
This isn’t the first time Mousinho has been linked with Bristol City, with the Pompey boss reportedly in the running last season before the Robins appointed Liam Manning.
‘There's always been a couple of links there but nothing's ever come of it so I don't know if it's that perennial Bristol City link that just keeps popping back up,’ Mousinho added.
‘Like I said, that's not something that's anything on my end at the moment.
‘ That's just going to be something that rumbles in the background. It doesn't affect me at all. I obviously was anticipating this sort of question but unfortunately there's no more insight I'm going to give you. ‘
Mousinho signed a new long-term contract with Pompey in September 2024.
For your next Pompey read: Portsmouth defender wants 'phenomenal' John Mousinho to stay at Fratton Park amid Bristol City links