The Manager Going Under The Radar: How One Championship Side Is Defying Expectations

The Manager Going Under The Radar: How One Championship Side Is Defying Expectations

In any team sport, the manager is constantly in the firing line should there team be failing to perform and no more so then in the beautiful game. Praise as a football coach seems hard to come by in the modern day, with two managers already shown the exit door in the Championship this season.

The managers in question were Ruben Selles and Paulo Pezzolano, who represented Sheffield United and Watford respectively. Whilst performances have been substandard for these two former top flight clubs, a team down on the South Coast that were once quite literally the definition of Barclays, have been really impressive and it's all thanks to one man in particular.

Mousinho Working His Magic

Back in January 2023, a man named John became the new Portsmouth manager. Labelled the English Jose Mourinho, he was not taken seriously and left fans amused, whilst questioning 'Who is this guy?' It was certainly a bold decision by the Portsmouth board to appoint someone so untested in a managerial sense.

The now 39-year-old was playing as a player/manager for Oxford United before his arrival, even making eight appearances, with both clubs then in League One. Not the most conventional route into management certainly in the modern era, but one that would soon begin to pay off.

After taking over from Danny Cowley, the former defender was unfortunate to miss out on a play-off place in League One in his first season. Quite the feat considering they did sit in 15th when Mousinho was given the job.

Optimsim quite rightly grew for the next season around Fratton Park, as Mousinho had already provided more positive results. He would go on to win League One with his team just losing five times that season and fending off a strong Derby County side in the process.

The jump up to the Championship was always going to be a tough test, with avoiding relegation the main objective. Mousinho delivered on his promise as Pompey finished 16th in the table. They had their main man Josh Murphy to thank, with his 21 goal involvements proving to be vital.

Whist Murphy is unlikely to feature against Leicester due to a minor injury, young South Korean Yang Min-heok has stepped up to the plate in his absence, scoring in their win against Middlesborough before the international break. The Tottenham loanee is just 19-years-old and has taken to life excellently in Hampshire.

Introducing our new Head Coach...

🔵 Welcome to #Pompey, John Mousinho

— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) January 20, 2023

Exciting Football at Fratton park

Like any manager in the modern game, Mousinho likes his team to be able to play out from the back. He doesn't like his team to force passes forward if it isn't on and would rather recycle the ball, either by a switch of play or choosing the easy pass.

Mousinho opts for a high press, with one of the front men acting as the trigger, before the rest follow. Colby Bishop has been brilliant at leading the press and defending from the front this season.

There is a real emphasis on possession and how Mousinho's team effectively uses the ball when they have it. This starts from goalkeeper Josh Burzik who has been impressive in Pompey's goal since Schmidt picked up his injury.

Mousinho has created a key spine of the team since his arrival in PO4 with Manchester United prospect, Regan Poole, Marlon Pack and Colby Bishop. Now adding younsgters in to the mix with Segegic, Yang Min-heok and with the technical qualities that John Swift and Conor Chaplin bring, their squad is one of the most promising in the league, especially considering it's total value.

For a team that has the third lowest revenue figures in the division, their recruitment has to be praised. But not only that, the manager has made his group of players way better, which is why he is exceeding expectations in the Championship this season.

We ALL enjoyed this. 😅 pic.twitter.com/nzWW4mNPhh

— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) October 4, 2025

Time to Push Forward This Season

Despite currently sitting 14th in the table, draws against West Brom, Southampton and Watford, as well as wins against Preston and second placed Middlesborough, have been more than the Pompey faithful could have wished for. Will Still certainly doesn't forget the South Coast derby, after the two managers did their best Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte impression at the full-time whistle.

John Mousinho and Will Still's awkward full-time handshake 🫣 pic.twitter.com/ZhdVR1ufNV

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2025

Speaking to the BBC Radio Solent Mousinho alluded to the importance of giving his players extra time off during the international break. "It gives us scope to have them in for longer periods of time when needed." The manager was full of praise for the form his side have shown this season. He said, "We are more solid and more pragmatic."

When asked about the aims for the rest of the season, Mousinho wasn't quick to get ahead of himself. "The ambition this year is first and foremost to stay in the league." The Pompey manager also said his message is clear to the players to try and win every game they are involved in.

With a tough run of fixtures just around the corner, Portsmouth's manager understands that his side are going to have to show resilience in order to get anything out these games. First they travel to the King Power Stadium to face a Leicester side, who arguably boast the best squad of players in the league. They'll then meet Lampard's Coventry who currently sit top of the table, before playing a strong Stoke side.

Mousinho admitted "There are no easy games in the Championship." but remains ready for the challenge and has full belief in his group of players that they can pick up some valuable points over the coming weeks.