Portsmouth 1 Birmingham City 1: Neil Allen's verdict - Final-day farewells, yet it's the long goodbye to fear

Amid the finality which traditionally accompanies the last day of a season, at Fratton Park there was also a palpable air of inconclusiveness.

A paradox, admittedly, yet Saturday’s conclusion to an eventful 2025-26 campaign which finished in 18th position left far too many crucial questions unresolved and lengthy sentences lacking a full stop.

For Kev McCormack, the long-serving kitman, and Andre Dozzell, it was emphatically the end. The lap of appreciation served as a fitting farewell to a pair who will always be welcomed back with open arms.

After 27 years and a truly moving half-time tribute from past players and managers, McCormack embraced his send off in front of the Fratton End following the final whistle, punching the air with the glee to show this old boxer still packs a mighty right hook.

As for Dozzell, whose departure for DC United has still to be officially confirmed yet remains an open secret around the Fratton Park corridors, it was a typically low-key goodbye.

Never one to court the limelight and largely an undemonstrative character, his exit was orchestrated with a minimum of fuss, reflecting those impressively consistent midfield displays which have been a mainstay in consecutive successful relegation battles.

Intriguingly ambiguous

Yet while their futures have been determined, the fate of John Mousinho and, to an extent, Rich Hughes, remain intriguingly ambiguous.

The head coach had insisted that scheduled talks with co-owner Eric Eisner on Thursday and Friday was never the make-or-break scenario which some had perceived. Certainly there were no ultimatums being thrown about in an attempt to force hands.

Subsequently, while addressing the local media after the 1-1 draw with Birmingham, Mousinho claimed he was encouraged over how discussions focusing on Tornante’s ambition and financial commitment had fared.

In addition, he was adamant his existing Blues position was not discussed, despite being linked with Bristol City, a club who have been long-time admirers of the 40-year-old, with two previous approaches.

For all that purported optimism, however, there remains a nagging doubt the popular head coach will be around for the 2026-27 campaign.

Certainly there’s no guarantee that, after three-and-a-half years of overachieving with the Blues, Mousinho wouldn’t seriously consider a fresh challenge offering sunnier climes as opposed to perennial Championship relegation battles.

And that remains the crux of this current Pompey predicament. His stock is higher than ever, unquestionably admirers will declare themselves this summer, some wholly unsuitable, no doubt.

However, the lure of any club operating without the Blues’ financial constraints and possessing a more advanced infrastructure may be too tempting to resist, irrespective of whatever long-term strategy the Eisners are now assembling.

Bristol City, should they show interest, would fit the bill. Hypothetically, so would Sheffield Wednesday, particularly following Saturday’s announcement that they will start next season in League One without a points deduction.

Rich Hughes’ Sheffield Wednesday interest

Sporting director Rich Hughes has already been sounded out for a role at the Owls as new owners Arise Capital Partners attempt to rebuild after the devastation inflicted by administration and Dejphon Chansiri.

While Mousinho and his family joined in with Pompey’s lap of appreciation, Hughes watched from the South Stand’s sidelines, understandably preferring not to get involved in the traditional end-of-season scenes.

His pivotal influence during an era which has seen the Blues restored to the Championship and subsequently establish themselves at that level is often ridiculously overlooked. As the man who drove Mousinho’s appointment in the first place, he has headed the transformation.

Terry Devlin was present on pitch, though, having won all 17 end-of-season awards on offer, including The News/Sports Mail’s Player of the Season.

With Wrexham having a £2m bid rejected in the January window and now failing to reach the play-offs, they are expected to return. There’ll be others too. Don’t expect him to be here next season.

Then there’s Adrian Segecic, who on Saturday netted his 11th goal of a highly productive maiden season in English football and produced another man-of-the-match showing in the Birmingham draw.

In truth, eight goal contributions in the last six matches mask an alarming drop off from midway through the season, yet the Croatian under-21 international has still enjoyed an eye-catching finale - and Pompey now expect interest as a consequence.

There’s uncertainty over whether Conor Chaplin will return once released from Premier League-bound Ipswich this summer. In truth, it has been a deeply disappointing reunion which, no doubt, will have hurt him too.

Elsewhere, will the Blues decide to activate their option on Gustavo Caballero, worth around £2.5m? Although don’t expect fellow loanees Milli Alli, Jacob Brown or Florian Bianchini to return.

With Pompey’s players informed of the club’s plans for them in the week preceding the final game, there were plenty of farewells on that Fratton Park pitch on Saturday as the squad naturally breaks up for the summer and for life.

Yet, in the case of John Mousinho, nothing is certain. It could be a long goodbye.

Your Next Pompey Read: 'A very simple deal to be done': Portsmouth skipper Marlon Pack addresses his Fratton Park future