'Patience and loyalty': Why Portsmouth chief retains belief in 'talented' John Mousinho and Rich Hughes

That’s the strong message from Andy Cullen as John Mousinho and Rich Hughes continue to be entrusted with implementing the Blues’ long-term strategy.

The pair were last month rewarded with fresh deals after ending Pompey’s agonising 12-year wait to reunite with the Championship, an accomplishment achieved in style with the League One title.

While it has undoubtedly been a disappointing start to their campaign, that hasn’t affected belief within the club that the Blues are being overseen by the right people.

And Cullen is adamant their new contracts reflect how the head coach and sporting director are still ‘fundamental’ to Pompey’s footballing future.

He told The News: ‘There are a number of factors why the contracts didn’t happen earlier.

‘We were in discussions over the summer, but there were so many other things going on, while, for John and Rich, it wasn’t about them.

‘I think that underlines exactly the people they are in terms of the course of the football club came first. They were determined to work hard on delivering, so those talks were going on in the background.

‘The other thing was they were really happy with their (existing) contracts, so it was about rewarding them and giving them further extensions on long-term deals.

‘In football, if you have success and there are talented people in your team, whether they are working at your club in football or non-football positions, then they are coveted. We believe in everything Rich and John are delivering for the football club.

‘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.’

Mousinho is presently the 27th longest-serving boss in the Premier League and Football League - and the sixth longest-serving in the Championship.

That’s despite taking Pompey’s head coach position in January 2023 - almost 21 months ago.

Cullen added: ‘John and Rich’s contracts were important in showing our commitment and them showing their commitment back to us.

‘That also allows us to develop strategy, otherwise we’d just have a knee-jerk approach, you just lurch from day one to the next - and we want to try to build something.’