'Outspoken' Portsmouth boss John Mousinho to meet Blues owners to discuss club's future amid Bristol City links
The Blues’ head coach is scheduled to meet Eric Eisner in person to debate the club’s direction
John Mousinho will tomorrow meet co-owner Eric Eisner to plot Pompey’s future.
And the Blues boss is hoping the ‘suggestions’ put forward by himself and sporting director Rich Hughes will be acted upon as they attempt to ramp up Fratton Park ambition.
Eisner will be attending Saturday’s final match of the season against Birmingham, signalling the end of another testing campaign which again saw Championship safety secured.
Chairman Michael Eisner and fellow board members Anders and Breck will not be present, with Eric solely representing the family.
Meetings are scheduled with Mousinho over Thursday and Friday, with the head coach continuing to be vocal about the need for increased investment in order to build on the last two Championship seasons.
And Mousinho insists he is upbeat over what those key discussions could yield.
’I think our suggestions will be really well-received’
He told The News: ‘The owners are over on Thursday and we will have a number of conversations on Thursday and Friday. Eric is over and we are connecting with Michael, Anders and Breck as always.
‘It isn't just about the finances, that can get lost in everything. Ultimately, finances can be a factor, but it will be much more about that whole picture, the whole picture of the football club and what we need to do to improve.
‘We have done that every year. I probably haven’t been as vocal about that previously, but me being outspoken now is probably a reflection of what I think the fans deserve to hear and what I think the fans deserve from a head coach and sporting director, who are going to go and represent the football club.
‘We have a terrific ownership group and I’ve always spoken about how much support we have got and how steady we are as a football club. I think the suggestions we make will move the club forward - and I think they will be really well-received.
‘I think everything is going to be really positive, as it always has been. It’s just about trying to get a head start on next season, getting a clear idea of where we want to go, but I am extremely positive about it.
‘We have always had very, very open and honest conversations. I don’t think the Eisners brought me into the football club just to sit here and be happy with the status quo. I just don’t think that’s the case.
‘They are incredibly savvy, incredibly good people who want people to push and, like in any of their businesses, I am sure they’d want any of their business leaders to keep trying to improve the business. I don't think football is any different.
‘The only difference in football is it’s just a bit of a basket case on finance - and Michael certainly is not that.’
Season finale at Fratton Park
On Saturday, Pompey could improve on last season’s points tally of 54, having already equalled that with one match to spare, although they cannot finish higher than 17.
Regardless, they have again preserved their Championship status with two matches to spare following a remarkable response to last month’s 6-1 drubbing at QPR.
Meanwhile, Mousinho’s stock continues to rise, with his ongoing impressive performance as Blues boss winning admirers. Indeed, Bristol City have been linked with a move for the ex-Oxford United skipper.
He added: ‘What I want to say is this whole thing isn’t about me - and if I have made it like that then it has been misconstrued. It is about the football club, it’s as simple as that.
‘If I was saying something which was beyond what the majority of fans, media and everybody connected to the football club was also asking - and if we weren’t aligned on it - then there would be a problem.
‘Everybody is completely aligned on the fact we need to try to get better.’