“It’s flatterting, first and foremost. If there’s interest of their side its interest on their side, I have not spoken to Bristol City.”
16:35, 29 Apr 2026Updated 16:36, 29 Apr 2026
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: John Mousinho, Manager of Portsmouth applauds the fans following the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Portsmouth at Bet365 Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has addressed rumours of him being linked to the Bristol City job.
The boss was speaking at his weekly press conferences ahead of Pompey’s game with Birmingham City in the Championship at the weekend.
Reports this week has indicated that the 39-year-old was one of a number of candidates who have been linked with the job. But speaking to the media on Wednesday, he said that he had so far recieved no contact from the Robins about any move.
Speaking to BBC Solent, he added: “It’s flatterting, first and foremost. If there’s interest of their side its interest on their side, I have not spoken to Bristol City, they haven’t made an approach to the football club, so at this stage it is exactly that. I am aware of it, but the best thing to do is to be aware and honest about these kinds of things.
“What I never want to do is disrepect the fans of Portsmouth and my answer is always say I don’t want to lie and say I will be at this football club forever. I am not in a position where I am desperately seeking to leave. I am not looking to leave the football club, I love it here and the fans. It’s one of those that my honest answer is I am fully focused on Portsmouth, the talks over the next couple of days and the game, and this is the football club that gave me my chance and I have had a really good time here.”
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‘They’re exactly that at the moment, reports,” Mousinho said, as reported by the Portsmouth News “It’s actually at this stage a question to ask Bristol City, not me. I’ve not had any contact from the club. Portsmouth haven’t had any contact from the club.”
He added: “Always, when these sort of things come up, it’s flattering to myself and to the football club, but it’s absolutely not my focus at the moment.
“There’s always been a couple of links there but nothing’s ever come of it so I don’t know if it’s that perennial Bristol City link that just keeps popping back up.”
Roy Hodgson is currently in temporary charge at Ashton Gate having replaced Gerhard Struber at the end of the March, but the 78-year-old will depart at the end of his short-term deal in the summer.
Mousinho is one of the names who have been linked with the role. Former Liverpool captain and ex-Rangers and Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is another, as has been ex-Leicester City and Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.
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