Danny Cowley delivers honest view on his replacement John Mousinho at Portsmouth | OneFootball

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Football League World

·7 February 2023

Danny Cowley delivers honest view on his replacement John Mousinho at Portsmouth

Article image:Danny Cowley delivers honest view on his replacement John Mousinho at Portsmouth

Former Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley says John Mousinho has all the qualities needed to be successful at Fratton Park.

Cowley was sacked by Pompey in early January following a run of one win in 14 league games which saw the club fall down the League One table, with Mousinho being announced as his surprise replacement.


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The 36-year-old had been combining playing duties with a coaching role at fellow third tier side Oxford United, but was handed his first managerial opportunity on the South Coast.

Mousinho has enjoyed a positive start to life in the hot seat, winning two and drawing one of his four league games in charge to move Pompey up to 10th in the table, although they are nine points from the play-off places.

Cowley completed his coaching pro license with Mousinho and says he is certain that he will prove to be a good appointment.

“I wish Portsmouth nothing but success moving forward and they will always have supporters in me and [brother] Nicky [Cowley], and our families,” Cowley told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, quoted by Hampshire Live.

“Yeah I know John [Mousinho] well, we both literally qualified through that [Pro Licence] process together in the summer, so we would go on early morning runs with and I used to give him stick, because I could keep with him and he was still playing in League One at that time. I don’t know if that means I am fit, or he was just coming towards the end.

“But he is a great guy, really intelligent man. He impressed me throughout that course and I have no doubt that he has all the attributes to be a really successful manager/head coach.

“I think he has got a good group. I think the squad is in a good place and they have recruited well this window, and I am sure they will be able to have the successes that the supporters crave.

“John is an intelligent guy and he has all the attributes to be a really successful manager, I am sure.”

Quiz: What club do these 15 ex-Portsmouth academy players play for now?

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Article image:Danny Cowley delivers honest view on his replacement John Mousinho at Portsmouth

ADAM WEBSTER

NEWCASTLE BRIGHTON

The verdict

These are encouraging comments for Portsmouth fans.

While Cowley’s time at Fratton Park did not end well, he is highly-respected within the game and has had an excellent managerial career overall, so his words are a significant endorsement of Mousinho’s abilities.

Mousinho was a shock appointment, but he has shown plenty of potential since his arrival with some improved results and Cowley’s approval may help to win over those Pompey fans who are still unsure.

Cowley should be commended for his class in speaking so positively about the man who replaced him whilst still undoubtedly disappointed by his departure and you would not bet against in being right in his assessment that Mousinho will be a success based on the early evidence.

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