‘Breath of fresh air’: Michael Eisner praises influential Portsmouth duo during latest Fratton visit
Pompey currently sit 20th in the Championship after a difficult start to the season.
Michael Eisner believes John Mousinho and Rich Hughes have been a ‘breath of fresh air’ during their time at Fratton Park.
And the 83-year-old has joked about how the duo have been able help his continued learning of English football.
Following the head coach’s appointment in January 2023, the pair have worked closely, establishing a formidable relationship on the south coast.
With Hughes' recruitment and Mousinho’s coaching, Pompey stormed to the 2023-24 League One title in their first full season working together before go onto to escape relegation from the Championship in the following campaign.
Eleven new faces were recruited during the summer window, with the likes of Josh Knight, Conor Chaplin, Josef Bursik and more already establishing themselves in the first-team fray.
It has, though, been a difficult start to the new term, with the Blues sat 20th in the Championship following Wednesday’s goalless draw with Wrexham.
Eisner was in attendance at Fratton in his latest planned trip to Fratton, with his last visit coming in April for the matches with Norwich City and Watford.
Michael Eisner’s praise over Pompey duo
As part of his current stay, the chairman spoke to Pompey+ ahead of the midweek stalemate with the Red Dragons to discuss the impressive work which Mousinho and Hughes are undertaking.
‘I think John (Mousinho) and Rich Hughes are a breath of fresh air,’ he replied when asked about the job the pair are currently doing at PO4.
‘They’re both relatively young, they’re both enthusiastic, they’re both knowledgeable, we deal with them and talk to them all the time.
‘They’re very accommodating when we ask stupid questions. Soccer in the US isn’t what football is here.
‘I could tell you anything you want about baseball, hockey, basketball and soccer we are learning. But it’s fun. After eight years we probably know half the rules.’
John Mousinho reveals upcoming talks with Michael Eisner over January window
Eisner has been joined by son and Pompey director Eric Eisner for their latest visit, with the pair expected to hold talks with Mousinho before their return Stateside.
The head coach revealed earlier in the week discussions would take place with the owners to discuss the Blues’ approach to the upcoming January transfer window, which opens in less than two months.
Mousinho told The News on Monday: ‘We will see them at the game on Wednesday and then have plenty of time to meet them on Thursday, so we’ll spend some time with them.
‘It’s the same as we always do, there’s no specific agenda, but, ultimately, the top line is the first-team and how we’re performing. We’ll go over where we feel we are this season, hopefully that’s in a positive place after the Wrexham game.
‘We’ll also start looking at what we will require in January, which I don’t think is too early,
‘It’s still difficult because we’re not 100 per cent sure in terms of what we need, although the requirements have probably altered a bit over the last couple of weeks with injuries and also with the losses.
‘Naturally, it comes with the territory in terms of reacting to what you need in a certain moment and into areas you might need strengthening. Certainly it's early enough for us to start speaking about transfers.’