While it’s a common belief that this award brings bad luck, there’s no concrete data to support it, though fans often mention it.
It might just be a natural return to average performance after a successful winning streak. Interestingly, Kenny Jackett, despite being in promotion contention for four years, never won this award.
However, there’s no denying that John Mousinho truly deserves the award for his performance in September.
His team entered the month unbeaten with some doubts, but they finished it as the top team in League One, showing potential for automatic promotion.
Mousinho rightfully gives credit to his entire team, acknowledging the efforts of the first-team squad and staff.
This isn’t mere flattery; he genuinely believes in the team effort. With the immense pressure that comes with being a head coach, it’s easy to become a control freak. However, Mousinho is different and delegates responsibilities to his coaching staff.
Assistant Jon Harley and first-team coach Zesh Rehman often work one-on-one with players, and goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo takes charge of set-pieces.
These coaches have come together well, despite not previously working together. While a training ground’s atmosphere is heavily influenced by results, maintaining a relaxed environment certainly helps.
It’s hard to believe that just this year, Portsmouth suffered a severe defeat at Bolton, leaving pessimistic fans worried about relegation to League Two rather than a return to the Championship.
Appointing Mousinho as manager was a bold move by chief executive Andy Cullen and sporting director Richard Hughes. When the decision was announced, some fans and football insiders were critical. However, many of those who were initially unimpressed now admit they were wrong. It would make social media a better place if more people were willing to admit their mistakes and have a sense of humor about it.
Mousinho is seen as a composed and popular leader who maintains balance even after victories or losses. This is in contrast to some previous Portsmouth managers who struggled with this aspect. His unique path through the game, starting as a player at the University of Notre Dame in the USA and then working his way up to the Championship, may have contributed to his perspective.
What’s truly remarkable is how quickly he has adapted to his new role. He had only a few days’ notice before being appointed and primarily knew the Pompey squad from playing against them.
Mousinho jokes that his wife will decide where to display the Manager of the Month award at home. However, it’s likely that the trophy will find its place in the downstairs bathroom or a spare room. In the past, a previous Pompey manager accidentally damaged the trophy, and a replacement wasn’t possible.
Trophies won in October won’t be memorable. It’s the ones up for grabs in April that will hold a special place in Mousinho’s home and in the hearts of Portsmouth fans.
Manager Mousinho Dedicates Award….
The humble manager of Portsmouth, John Mousinho, has chosen to attribute his recent recognition as the League One Manager Of The Month to his dedicated team, following their impressive victories over Blackpool, Oxford United, and Wycombe.
Mousinho, in his inaugural managerial role, received the prestigious Sky Bet Manager Of The Month award for League One in acknowledgment of Portsmouth’s remarkable performance in September. During this month, Portsmouth earned an impressive 13 out of a possible 15 points, securing the top spot in the league by defeating their promotion rivals.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Mousinho, who took up the managerial reins at Fratton Park in January. His commendable performance has not gone unnoticed, as he managed to outshine other strong contenders for the award, including Matt Bloomfield (Wycombe), Neil Critchley (Blackpool), and Liam Manning (Oxford United), as determined by the Sky Bet panel.
In expressing his gratitude, the 37-year-old manager extended his appreciation to his support staff, which includes assistant head coach Jon Harley, goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo, and first-team development coach Zesh Rehman. Mousinho emphasized the importance of teamwork and acknowledged that, as a former player and fan, he now understands why managers consistently credit their teams upon receiving such awards. He emphasized that his achievements are the result of collective effort, from the club’s operations from top to bottom. Over the past year, they have made substantial efforts to improve the club’s performance.
Mousinho further highlighted the challenging nature of the past month, particularly when facing Derby and Barnsley, with key players absent due to various circumstances. Nonetheless, the team managed to secure vital points, thanks to the hard work and dedication of both the staff and the entire squad. The players rallied and took control of the situation, contributing to their successful outcomes.
The Manager Of The Month award, according to Mousinho, is a testament to the collective efforts of the entire club. The staff’s support, from top to bottom, has made his job considerably more manageable than he ever envisioned.
While Portsmouth will not be playing on the upcoming Saturday due to international call-ups, they remain at the top of the League One standings. Despite the absence of key players like Terry Devlin, Paddy Lane, Regan Poole, and Alex Robertson during the international weekend, Portsmouth’s lead in the league remains secure, with a six-point advantage over third-placed Barnsley.
Mousinho’s message to everyone is that there are seven more months to go in the season, and they need to maintain their determination, keep working hard, and continue winning games. He hopes that this award is an indicator of even greater achievements to come, reflecting the club’s progress over the past year.
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