Exclusive:Portsmouth boss reacts to latest Championship managerial links with Norwich City and Derby County duo under pressure
New reports emerged stating John Mousinho is being eyed by Championship rivals, with the likes of Burnley looking for a new manager and Norwich City and Derby County bosses feeling heat.
John Mousinho promised his focus is firmly on Pompey amid talk of interest from Championship rivals.
And the Blues boss believes he is maintaining balance with his stock once again rising - just weeks on from facing criticism at Fratton Park.
Mousinho: ‘If I start trying to angle for a move I will very quickly come unstuck.’
New reports have emerged this week suggesting Mousinho is attracting attention from ‘bigger’ Championship outfits, with his side sitting two sides outside of the play-offs after collecting 10 points from a possible 12.
Norwich City and Derby County are two sides whose bosses are under pressure, while Burnley are on the lookout for a new man at the helm after sacking Nicky Hayden.
Mousinho today responded to that noise, as he stated his eyes are continuing the upward curve Pompey are currently on.
He said: ‘I’ve seen myself linked to jobs over years, and as many times as I’ve seen myself linked to jobs I’ve seen fans calling for my head and people saying I should be sacked.
‘That’s what happens, that’s what happens in football.
‘We’ve had a decent run, but that is 100 per cent not my focus.
‘My focus right now is trying to win the game at the weekend against Burnley.
‘If I start trying to angle for a move or do something that isn’t integral to Portsmouth Football Club, then I will very quickly come unstuck.’
Pompey’s form has swung from being on a run of one Championship win in six to suffering just a single loss in eight league fixtures.
The south-coast derby loss at Southampton appears to have been the turning point for sparking improvements, with flak flying Mousinho’s way after that frustrating loss.
The Blues head coach underlined he felt the pain of that loss, but has fought to maintain balance personally and within his side’s ranks.
Mousinho added: ‘I spoke about it post-Southampton.
‘At my time at the football club there’s been highs, lows, question marks, rumours of me leaving and everything in between.
‘It’s always going to happen. My take is I’m no different as a manager or head coach to how I was three weeks ago. Obviously results have changed.
‘I really stress that when we lose games I feel like it anyway, but the reaction is sometimes you’re the worst manager or players in the world - and vice-versa when you win.
‘The truth is you’re somewhere in the middle of that, but results are the most important thing.
‘We’ve had a few things go for us in the past few games and made better decisions in certain moments.
‘But we haven’t drastically changed, the players haven’t drastically changed and the way we coach them hasn’t drastically changed.
‘So there’s noise externally, but we try to keep things very level internally and keep going.
‘If we think things need changing we will do it and be adaptable. We think we’re on an okay path.’