‘It wasn’t straightforward’: John Mousinho makes intriguing admission over Portsmouth duo after agreements struck

Clarity over John Mousinho’s future was paramount in Connor Ogilvie and Zak Swanson penning new Fratton Park deals this summer.

And the head caoch explained the popular duo did have Championship interest before the Blues were able to tie them down to fresh terms.

The full-backs both committed their futures on the south coast by signing respective two-year deals earlier this month.

Ogilvie, who remains the longest serving member in Mousinho’s squad, extends his five-year stay following his 2021 arrival under Danny Cowley.

The 30-year-old has been a mainstay at left-back throughout his time at PO4, which has seen him amass 176 appearances to date.

Swanson, meanwhile, enjoyed his most successful campaign to date, registering 35 Championship appearances as he impressed on either flank.

The 2022 signing also put pen to paper on a two-year deal, which will now see him head into his fifth season at Fratton Park.

Mousinho’s future was a hot topic at the start of the summer amid interest in his services elsewhere in the Championship.

The head coach has since explained interest from Bristol City was ‘real’ as the Robins went in search of Gerhard Struber’s permanent successor.

But despite talks, any conversations failed to materialise, with the Blues boss now ready to lead his side into the third successive Championship campaign.

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Pompey boss provides intriguing insight into new deals for popular duo

And Mousinho explained clarity over his future was the key beyond Ogilvie and Swanson penning new deals at Fratton Park.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, the head coach said: I think the initial part with Connor (Ogilvie) and Zak (Swanson) was just around my position at the start of the summer.

‘So once that was clarified, I gave them my assurances that I was going to be here and that helped the situation.

‘Both of them spoke of their desire to stay at the football club, the desire to work with the current coaching structure which is a nice thing to hear.

‘There was naturally other interest from some other good Championship football clubs.

‘As you’d expect both of them have had two full seasons in the Championship, very good performances from the pair of them, full-backs that have shown consistency, Zak’s played on both sides as well, Connor we know everything we need to know about him.

‘It wasn’t straightforward keeping the pair of them but it’s a good sign that the pair of them wanted to sign.’

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