John Mousinho to Bristol City update emerges as Tommy Elphick snubs Robins | OneFootball

BBC South's Andrew Moon has revealed whether John Mousinho will leave Portsmouth for Bristol City

Bristol City are still searching for a new manager, while Portsmouth's John Mousinho has been eyed as a potential option.

The Robins finished the season under the interim management of Roy Hodgson, who steered them to a 12th-place finish, thanks to a final-day victory over Stoke City.

Meanwhile, Mousinho successfully helped Pompey secure their Championship status for another season, impressively leading them to wins over Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town in their last six games.

However, the 40-year-old has called for more investment from Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner, as he wants fewer relegation worries next term.

Bristol City learn whether John Mousinho is willing to move to Ashton Gate

Bristol City successfully reached the Championship play-offs in 2025, but were unable to emulate those achievements this time around, having to settle for a mid-table finish.

The Robins sacked former boss Gerhard Struber in March, following a poor run of form, which prompted the surprise return to management of 78-year-old Hodgson.

Struber was not wholly culpable for the Ashton Gate club's poor form before his sacking, as they sold key players Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner in the winter transfer window.

Meanwhile, interim Hodgson got a reasonable tune out of the Robins, steering them to wins over Charlton Athletic, Sheffield United, and Stoke.

TalkSPORT's Alex Crook revealed via X in April that Bristol City had shown an interest in Mousinho, amid their hunt for their next permanent boss.

Now, BBC South's Andrew Moon has reported on X that Mousinho is not going to be joining the Robins at all.

That news comes even though, as per BBC Sport, Bristol City's move for Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick is off, as the 38-year-old is set to stay at the Vitality Stadium and join Marco Rose's coaching team.

Rose has agreed to join the Cherries to replace Andoni Iraola, who steered the Dorset club to the Europa League for the first time in their history, and Elphick will be a part of the next phase of their journey.

Portsmouth must now back John Mousinho after Bristol City update

The fact that Mousinho is not set to join Bristol City is a boost to Portsmouth's hopes of retaining the 40-year-old, who has done a stellar job in the Fratton Park dugout.

He led Pompey to the League One title in 2024 and has gone on to help them retain their Championship status for two successive seasons.

However, having overseen two consecutive relegation battles, Mousinho wants to guide Portsmouth to bigger and better things, which will only be possible with further investment from Eisner.

Pompey must back their boss in the summer transfer market, as he appears set to continue attracting external admirers, and could eventually leave Fratton Park despite his current Bristol City snub.

The South Coast outfit's move to acquire winger Adrian Segecic from Sydney last summer proved to be an inspired choice, as he went on to notch 11 goals and four assists in the Championship.

Portsmouth will have to complete more smart business ahead of the 2026/27 season, or they will be at risk of losing Mousinho, who has re-established them in the second tier.

Perhaps signing Millenic Alli, who showed some promising signs while on loan from Luton Town, permanently would mark a strong start to the summer transfer window.