Portsmouth boss reveals position over his Fratton future amid increased playing budget answers
John Mousinho today makes his stance clear over remaining at Fratton Park moving forward - and answers questions over his playing budget, in the event of Pompey remaining in the Championship.
John Mousinho has outlined his commitment to Pompey’s future.
And the Blues boss has detailed his confidence in working with a ‘significantly’ increased playing budget moving forward, should the Blues retain their Championship place.
Boss commits future to Pompey and reveals contract details
Mousinho believes the Eisners will afford the club resources to make them ‘properly competitive’ at second-tier level next season, if he guides his side to second-tier safety.
The head coach has confirmed he intends to be at PO4 to oversee the progress, as he revealed his current contract position with Pompey.
Mousinho explained he has two years remaining on his existing agreement, after signing an extension in September 2024 following the League One title success.
And the 39-year made it clear his mind is still firmly on keeping Pompey in the Championship - and helping them grow at the level.
When asked if he will be at Fratton Park next season, Mousinho said: ‘Yes. Ultimately the decision is above my head, but I’ve got another two years on my contract.
‘My biggest aim, first and foremost, is to make sure we stay in the league. Then I would very much like the opportunity for the club to progress - and me to progress with the football club.’
The Eisners this week affirmed their commitment to Pompey’s future, as chairman Michael Eisner’s three children became minority shareholders at PO4.
There has been a strong focus on the finances they are prepared to afford the football operation, when it comes to building a competitive Championship squad.
Mousinho last month called for a summer review of Pompey’s playing budget, with the club’s place near the foot of the Championship spending hierarchy well established.
The Blues boss has now indicated his conviction those talks will be favourable for hiking the spending on the team moving forward, if they stay up this term.
Mousinho: Increase budget ‘more significantly’ to be ‘properly competitive’
When asked how Pompey’s playing budget moving forward affects his future, Mousinho added: ‘First and foremost, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves - we have to make sure we stay in the league. So it’s not something that I’m actively thinking about.
‘But I genuinely do think, if we do stay in the league, we would’ve spent two seasons in the Championship and will be in a position to look at what that looks like next year.
‘We will be able to increase (the budget) as we have done year on year.
‘Maybe we can increase it slightly more significantly - and take a view over where the league is a whole.
‘We can see what it’s like with sides coming up, coming down and see what spending levels are like through the league as a whole. Then we can go from there.
‘We can look at what it needs to be properly competitive at the level - I’ve no doubt we can do that.’