Bristol City may face key John Mousinho stumbling block in Portsmouth boss pursuit | OneFootball

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho may not be convinced by the prospect of joining Championship rivals Bristol City for one key reason

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has attracted interest from Championship rivals Bristol City after securing the Fratton Park club's second-tier status for another season.

Pompey have ensured that they will be playing their football in the Championship next term, as they sit seven points clear of the relegation zone with just one game remaining.

Mousinho's men have won four of their last five league fixtures, and beat Stoke City 3-1 last time out, thanks to Adrian Segecic's hat-trick in the West Midlands.

Meanwhile, Bristol City are searching for their next permanent boss, as Roy Hodgson's interim spell at Ashton Gate will come to an end following the Robins' clash with Stoke this Saturday.

John Mousinho will want significant assurances from Steve Lansdown before swapping Portsmouth for Bristol City

Mousinho successfully guided Portsmouth to the League One title in 2024 and has subsequently steered the Fratton Park side to Championship safety for two successive seasons.

However, having led Pompey away from relegation danger in each of the last two campaigns, the 39-year-old is now intent on driving the South Coast outfit to loftier heights.

Speaking to BBC Sport last week, Mousinho called for more investment from Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner: "The investment we've put in terms of the infrastructure has been amazing, considering where we were as a club (when Eisner completed his takeover) in 2017 and previously, when the fans saved the club.

"But we're still a long, long way behind other Championship clubs in terms of infrastructure, in terms of the training ground, staff networks, all of those sort of things, so we have got to keep going with that.

"I think we have to take a view in terms of where we want to be with the playing budget, and I think that's going to be a conversation over the next couple of weeks.

"If we don't invest, on and off the pitch, I think we'll perennially be in this relegation fight, and we need to try to move away from it."

The former Oxford United player's comments show that he wants to manage a side who are not worried by the prospect of ending up in the Championship drop zone.

Meanwhile, as revealed by talkSPORT's Alex Crook via X, Bristol City are showing interest in Mousinho as they vie to appoint Hodgson's successor.

Performances in recent seasons prove that the Robins are significantly less likely to end up in a relegation battle than Pompey, which could tempt the 39-year-old away from Fratton Park.

However, amid his desire for more investment from Eisner, Mousinho may not be best pleased by the lack of ambition Bristol City have arguably shown this season, and will likely seek assurances from owner Steve Lansdown before deciding whether to move to the West Country.

Having landed a play-off spot last season, the Robins were on the hunt for a top-six place once again this term, under the stewardship of former boss Gerhard Struber.

However, the Ashton Gate outfit sold star attacker Anis Mehmeti and key defender Zak Vyner to Ipswich Town and Wrexham, respectively, in the winter transfer window.

Those decisions disgruntled then head coach Struber, who was ultimately sacked, while supporters have voiced their discontent at Lansdown in recent weeks.

With that in mind, Mousinho may think twice before swapping Fratton Park for Ashton Gate, especially given the fact that he is already somewhat disappointed by the level of investment at his current club.

John Mousinho could be a great appointment for Bristol City if Robins can convince Portsmouth boss

Mousinho has enabled Portsmouth to punch above their weight since guiding them to the Championship, especially in recent weeks, when the South Coast club have earned victories over promotion contenders Middlesbrough and Ipswich.

And whilst speaking to BBC South's Andrew Moon, the Pompey boss may have admitted that he is not desperate to leave Fratton Park this summer, but he didn't state that he would not be leaving the club whatsoever.

Mousinho's impressive exploits at Fratton Park suggest that he would be a good head coach for Bristol City, who are a thoroughly established Championship outfit, and have more funds and ambition currently that Portsmouth can provide.

Above all, though, Mousinho could be unimpressed by Lansdown's recent calls at Ashton Gate, especially since he has demanded more investment from Eisner - should the Robins make an approach, it'll need careful consideration, but they may not have what Mousinho desires.