Success in the short term - and long term. That is in John Mousinho's sights after taking over as Pompey's head coach.

It's an appointment that left many shocked and stunned - and plenty warning it's a big gamble to give someone their first management job at a club of this size.

Neverthless there are also many saying fans now have to give him a chance - and that chance starts immediately, at home to Exeter on Saturday afternoon.

The 36-year-old joins from Oxford United, where he did have coaching duties as well as a playing role, having served a number of League One, League Two and Championship clubs in his playing days.

Mousinho, CEO Andy Cullen and director of football Richard Hughes have all been speaking to the media today ahead of the new man's Fratton bow on Saturday afternoon - which comes with the Blues needing to start winning to reverse a slide towards the bottom end of the table and get fans believing again that the play-offs are a realistic target.

Mousinho said: 'I’m delighted to be appointed Pompey head coach and am excited to get started in the role. The club and I are share similar ambitions and we’re focused on delivering the short and long-term success that the supporters here deserve.

'After meeting with Andrew Cullen and Richard Hughes, I really bought into the process and am pleased that the club have also bought into me, giving me this fantastic opportunity. I want our team to play on the front foot, with aggressive and attacking football that will win games and entertain the fans.”

Cullen told the club website: 'We are delighted to welcome John Mousinho as our new head coach. Following a thorough process, where we spoke with a number of people, John was the standout candidate. After meeting him and conducting our interviews, we were able to conclude the search and offer John the opportunity to coach this great football club.'

Chairman Michael Eisner said: 'I support the management’s decision and always encourage looking for talent that is ready for the next level. John Mousinho is positioned to succeed.'

Hughes said: 'I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with John. He’s a natural leader and his personality really shone through when we met with him. He has a real clarity on the way he wants to play and displayed the characteristics we had identified during our process. It’s a pleasure to welcome him to Fratton Park.

'I look forward to working closely with John, Andy and the rest of the football club to work towards bringing success — both in the short-term and for our longer-term vision.'

Pompey say they are in the process of appointing an experienced coaching team to support Mousinho, who will be supported on Saturday by lead professional development phase coach Zesh Rehman and goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo.

Photo: Action Images

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