'It's as simple as that' - Jermain Defoe's honest verdict on Portsmouth boss John Mousinho as Blues wait for first Championship win

With the PO4 head coach still waiting on his maiden Championship victory after guiding the Fratton Park club back to the second tier of English football for the first time in 12 years last season, the former Blues striker has reminded the 38-year-old that he’s operating in a world where results matter.

He also warned Mousinho that there’s little room for sentiment, with plenty of others ready to step in if he’s unable to turn Pompey’s Championship fortunes around.

Defoe, who callously cut short his own Fratton Park career after less than a year to return to Spurs in 2009, admitted he hoped Mousinho would quickly find the answers to the Blues’ current problems. 

Pompey head to 22nd-placed QPR on Saturday sitting second from bottom in the table with five points from nine games played. That’s followed by a trip to rock-bottom Cardiff next Tuesday night in what is already a crunch period in the season.

But speaking to Gambling.com ahead of this weekend’s trip to Loftus Road, the wannabee boss said it’s rare for managers to get time to turn things around.

Defoe said: ‘Time will tell (if Mousinho is the right man to take Pompey forward). Nowadays you don’t really get time - it's about results. You don't get results, then you lose your job. It's as simple as that.

‘There's so many coaches out there and managers that are looking for jobs. You can never take your foot off the gas as a manager. You can never switch off because there’s always someone that wants your job. It’s no different to being a player really, because there’s always someone that wants to come and take your place.

‘It's just part and parcel of being in football. So of course, you'd like the manager to turn it around, but at the same time, if he's not, then they're going to have to look elsewhere.’

Much-travelled Defoe’s advice won’t carry much favour with the Fratton faithful, especially after his decision to quit the south coast for a return to north London after just 36 games for the Blues.

The former England international scored 17 goals in that time and handed Pompey a handsome profit, having returned to Spurs for twice the £7.5m fee Harry Redknapp forked out in January 2008. However, his eagerness to leave, plus his desire to reunite with ’Arry, didn’t go down well at the time and understandably left a sour taste.

His words also come hot on the heels of Pompey chief executive Andy Cullen telling The News that the club had the patience and loyalty to stick by both Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes.

They continue to be entrusted with implementing the Blues’ long-term strategy, having both signed long-term contract extensions with the club last month.

Cullen said: ‘We are all reliant on the direction and purpose as to how we want to continue to grow, build and develop the football club - and they are fundamental to that long-term plan.

‘We work in an environment, particularly in terms of head coaches and sporting directors, where the tenure - particularly in the Championship - is very, very short.

‘That turnover is frightening, but we have patience, we have commitment, and we have loyalty to our staff. I am grateful for that.’