Morrell joins Portsmouth's coaching staff

Joe Morrell retired from football in October 2025 [Getty Images] Former Portsmouth and Wales midfielder Joe Morrell has returned to Fratton Park to join John Mousinho's coaching staff. The 29-year-old arrives back on the south coast as a first-team development coach, replacing Zesh Rehman, who left Pompey in late 2025. Morrell left Portsmouth as a player in the summer of 2024 before retiring from football in October last year, aged 28, because of injuries. He spent last season coaching with Bristol City's under-21s. His first match as a member of the Pompey coaching team will be Sunday's south coast derby at Southampton as the Championship resumes after a three-week international break. "I'm really excited and it feels like the right time for me to come back here," he told club media. "There are obviously a lot of familiar faces here, but also an opportunity for me to create plenty of new relationships. "I'm looking forward to a nice, low-key game to start with at the weekend! I never got to play in a south coast derby, but it's an honour to be involved in one in this capacity." Morrell, who won 37 caps for his country, played more than 100 times for Portsmouth and also had spells at Cheltenham, Lincoln City and Luton Town. "We're delighted to welcome Joe back to Pompey and I'm looking forward to working with him again," Mousinho added. "It came as no surprise to me that Joe chose to embark on a coaching career and the only disappointing thing is that it started at such a young age. "However, he has put the disappointment of having to retire behind him and worked hard to earn his badges. "Joe was a popular figure with staff, players and fans during his time here as a player and I have no doubt that will continue in this new role." 'Always likely Morrell would go into coaching' Analysis: BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon Joe Morrell was popular among supporters and fellow players when he was part of Pompey's League One title-winning team. Even before his unfortunate career-ending injury it was always likely he would go into coaching. He is an intelligent individual with a passion for the game and John Mousinho has always spoken highly of Morrell. This has not been a case of "jobs for the boys" though - Morrell had to go through two rounds of interviews to get the post and he beat three other candidates in the second round. He is set to be in the dugout for the south coast derby on Sunday. Not a bad first game to start your second Pompey career! The painful slow death of a playing career after World Cup highs Rehman to leave Pompey for new role in Saudi Arabia Latest Portsmouth news, analysis and fan views