Exclusive:Skipper’s revealing insight into Bristol City’s John Mousinho pursuit and Portsmouth boss staying put
Pompey’s skipper and leader give his insight into the doubt over John Mousinho’s future this summer - and what the Blues head coach staying put means to his club.
Marlon Pack lauded Pompey’s ‘driving force’ remainng at Fratton Park amid Bristol City’s summer pursuit.
The Blues skipper acknowledged his head coach leaving PO4 this summer would’ve been a ‘huge loss’, as Championship rivals showed interest in the 40-year-old.
Marlon Pack: ‘The football club is in a much better position when John Mousinho is here’
The Robins considered Mousinho for their vacant post with there other ‘minor interest’ in the man who guided the club to the League One title and two seasons in the second tier.
Pack explained he was across developments as they unfolded, as the former Bristol City man remained in contact with his boss.
The end result was Mousinho remaining to continue his three-and-a-half year voyage at Pompey, with his ambition to see his side close the gap with their Championship rivals.
An improved transfer pot has been put in place on that front, with a clear desire from the head coach to see progress in all areas of the football operation.
Pack is clear Pompey are much stronger for having Mousinho continuing in his position.
He said: ‘I have a really good relationship with the gaffer and we stayed in contact through the whole summer.
‘Even in the midst of all the uncertainty there were always conversations going on.
‘We met a few times off site as well and spoke about things.
‘Look, it helps the football club. The football club is in a much better position when John Mousinho is here.
‘I do think we’ve made so much progress. Of course it’s been a collective effort, but he has definitely been the driving force behind it.
‘It would have been a huge loss to the football club if he’d moved on.’
Mousinho has been clear interest in his services is a reflection on the progress made by Pompey throughout his managerial tenure, with Pack in agreement.
The Buckland boy feels there may well be a point where the former Oxford United progresses his career, despite currently being the second longest-serving manager in the Championship behind Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson.
The hope, however, is for growth together all the time Mousinho remains in the Fratton hot-seat.
Pack added: ‘He rightly deserves to be linked with other football clubs, because of the job he’s done here.
‘It’s keeping that continuity, because that is rare in this game.
‘Ultimately, though, he won’t be here forever so let’s enjoy him while we can.
‘Hopefully we can grow and continue to be successful with him at the football club and all of us together.’