Johnson: I can go away proud after Bristol City exit
Gary Johnson believes he will receive credit for his tenure at Bristol City now he has left the club.
The former manager came in for heavy criticism for a large portion of his four years and five months at Ashton Gate, despite winning promotion from League One.
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Former Bristol City manager Gary Johnson
Johnson said: "I think we will get the credit now. It is like when someone dies, they put a bust up of him. Why didn't they do it when he was alive?
"It is something that disappoints you with the wave of negativity that hits you. It doesn't help. Some people remember where we were when we took over."
City were bottom of League One in September 2005 and attracted new fans when they came within a game of the Premier League in 2008.
"We did pick up a lot of supporters and some new supporters might be disappointed that we haven't made the Premier League yet," said Johnson.
"We were successful, and I still believe we are successful because the Championship is a very difficult league. We are very new to it.
"We got a lot of success very quickly and supporters demand it. When it doesn't happen, discontent sets in and they get a little despondent.
"You have some low moments, and I will put them in the book if I am allowed to, but we have had some highs too. I can go away proud that I left the club in a higher state than when I came here."
Johnson and Steve Lansdown met in Bristol on Wednesday night – 24 hours after a 3-2 defeat at Plymouth.
Together they agreed the 54-year-old's exit from Ashton Gate.
"(In) the last 24 hours myself and the chairman have discussed things, as we always do after good events and bad events," said Johnson.
"We always said that when we both felt the time was right for a fresh face we would both know the right time.
"We felt after the discussion at one of our homes that it was the right time for a new voice.
"I am obviously disappointed to be leaving, but we have always thought of the future of the club.
"I look forward to my future, but I also wish Bristol City al the best for their future."
Johnson took the unusual step of appearing at the press conference called to announce his departure.
When he spoke of parting from the colleagues he has worked with for four seasons, he got a little misty-eyed.
"It is the hardest part, to leave people you have worked with day in and day out. They are the hard ones to leave," he said.
"It's a tough day. You are very popular when things are going well. When you leave you are popular again. The last couple of months has been a difficult time for the club. We have all been under pressure to sustain a challenge in a very, very difficult league.
"Supporter expectations got higher when we got to the play-off final and were disappointed when we finished 10th last season, and they get more disappointed if you are lower than that."
8 Comments
by jamie, Olde City
Friday, March 19 2010, 10:26PM
“Gary Johnson can go away with his pride still in tact that is for sure, and if the professional footballers who turn up tomorrow evening do the same then they too will regain some pride.
Let no blade of grass be left for indecision or lack of knowledge of your opponent. Play your hearts-out for BCFC play your hearts out for SL, play your guts out for the ladz down at the gate, but play your hearts out for Gary Johnson because he is responsible for getting you here..and we will bounce around the ground in his memory.
COME ON YOU REDZZZ”
by Mary, Clifton
Friday, March 19 2010, 9:17PM
“Tony, Bristol
You're so wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You weren't saying that when they almost go to the Premiership!”
by Nick, Nailsea
Friday, March 19 2010, 9:15PM
“We've got to get behind the lads tomorrow but it won't be easy after what they did to Gary! Now it's their heads on the block. Let's hope they come up trumps .”
by Fred, Weston
Friday, March 19 2010, 9:13PM
“Too true Rooster Booster.
They'll miss Gary soon enough! Will Steve get a quality man to come in quick? Not likely!”
by Rooster Booster, Clevedon
Friday, March 19 2010, 9:10PM
“Just read what Louis Carey had to say on the BCFC site. Looks like they are beginning to own up that they let the manager down.
Saturday will show how good they were and if they deserved to have Gary Johnson or any manager at that!”
by tony, Bristol
Friday, March 19 2010, 6:49PM
“G. Johnson BGriddance is what I say.
What a crap manager if ever i will not bother to renew my season ticket.
Hasbeens comes to mind???”
by karen, bristol
Friday, March 19 2010, 10:24AM
“ime gutted gary johnson has gone i also rate him as one of the best managers too he will be a hard act to follow but thanks and good luck you deserve it the way youve been treated come on u reds allways believe”
by Burwallian, West Sussex
Friday, March 19 2010, 7:55AM
“Gary Johnson deserves all the credit he can get for bringing City from where they were threatened with another drop and turning it around with promotion to the Championship and almost into the Premiership.
In my book he ranks after Alan Dicks as the two best managers the Club has had in my living memory.
Thank you Gary. Just a shame that after the highs the thing came apart this season. Only time will tell who truly was to blame for the sudden dive in fortunes.”