Portsmouth faithful all say the same thing as Blues make significant appointment

The Fratton faithful have shared their views on Joe Morrell’s PO4 return on social media.

The popular Welshman is reportedly close to joining John Mousinho’s backroom staff as a first-team development coach, a role which was previously filled by Zesh Rehman.

The former midfielder has been identified as the 42-year-old’s successor on the south coast following his departure in December 2025 and is expected to be in position for Sunday’s south-coast derby against Southampton.

It represents an emotional return to Fratton Park for the League One title winner, who appeared 105 times for the Blues during a successful three-year stay before his 2024 exit.

The 29-year-old’s imminent appointment comes just months after he left his interim role as Bristol City’s under-21 boss in July, a position he had held since April following his return to the Robins in January.

It also marks a surprise u-turn for Morrell who initially turned down the position in Mousinho’s backroom staff - despite the head coach offering the post following his enforced retirement.

But the 37-cap Wales international has now been chosen as the man to succeed Rehman and his arrival has been met with plenty of positivity from supporters, who are delighted to see the former favourite return.

Here’s the best of the reaction from X.

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Pompey faithful all say same thing as title winner returns to Fratton

@SteveoLarham: Going into the South Coast Derby with Michael Doyle and Joe Morrell on the bench and Marlon Pack in CM. Gonna be a feisty one.

@Ash_pfc: He was offered it before but turned it down so they obviously see something in him , I think it’s a decent appointment knows the club and what’s required also seems pretty intelligent which is not always a given for footballers.

@evanbolzo: Put a smile on my face.

@PompeyKirbs: I’d like to think that our midfield is going to become a bit more aggressive (not that Adams needs that) and I daresay…

@jimbo_pfc: Zesh had very little previous experience and it worked out well for him, joe has pretty much the same qualifications but of course this is the cheap option and isn’t good enough.

@originalfrostie: I love this.

@JackDavis10: Not opposed at all to this my only point would be how was this not done quicker, seems an obvious choice.

@BlueArmyAlex: He looked like a very good teacher in that training session he did with the academy with Pack a few years back. Fresh blood might have been good but he knows the staff and some of the players, this could be a good option.

@alexwells9689: Right choice definitely. Heartwarming stuff.

@Willmott3Sam: Should have happened as soon as he retired, glad he’s back.

@adarkelimited: Good luck to him - he deserves to make it a success and suspect the pain he’s been through will fire him.

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