Race is on to replace Gary Johnson at Bristol City
Gary Johnson is set to leave Bristol City today after more than four years as manager at Ashton Gate.
The 54-year-old has lost the confidence of his players, culminating in a half-time dressing room bust-up involving winger Ivan Sproule during the 3-2 defeat at Plymouth on Tuesday.
Johnson and chairman Steve Lansdown met last night with the manager given the option to resign before he was sacked. A club statement was expected to be released today announcing Johnson's departure, probably by mutual consent.
Johnson took charge in 2005, won promotion in 2007 and took City to the Championship play-off final in 2008.
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He signed a five-year deal in September 2008.
The Londoner has faced heavy criticism from fans following 6-0 and 5-2 home defeats to Cardiff and Doncaster respectively this year.
But it appears the Plymouth incident was the final straw for Lansdown.
The players openly argued with the bench during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Reading and the discontent continued at Home Park.
Lansdown, the multi- millionaire co-founder of financial services company Hargreaves-Lansdown, is keen to bring World Cup football to a new stadium in Ashton Vale.
But for his club to lose Championship status would be damaging to his attempt to win the support of the Cup bid committee.
City are not yet safe from relegation, although they are seven points clear of the bottom three with nine games to go.
Assistant manager Keith Millen is understood to be taking over as caretaker boss for Saturday's game against Newcastle.
The man who denied City a place in the Premier League in the 2008 play-off final – Phil Brown – will have his supporters to be the new boss.
He was sacked by Hull City this week but he would appear to be a maverick choice.
Safer pairs of hands would be ex-West Ham chief Alan Curbishley – strongly rumoured as a replacement for some time – former Reading boss Steve Coppell and current Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll.
If Lansdown wants a young manager he could turn to Gareth Southgate who was dismissed by Middlesbrough in August.
Another bright managerial prospect in the Johnson mould is current Exeter boss Paul Tisdale.
Johnson's departure leaves doubts over the Ashton Gate future of his coaching team, not least his brother and chief scout Pete Johnson.
Comments
by cliff, the north reds
Friday, March 19 2010, 8:58PM
“Magpie
Shut up!! Concentrate on your own team - we never gave you grief when you were struggling!
You dont like the fact that your lot couldnt score against us when we were up your place!
There are ups and downs in football mate... one day it will be yours again................Come on city !!”
by HKM, Bristol
Friday, March 19 2010, 7:04AM
“What fickle after four and a half years?
Something had gone drastically wrong and had gone stale, something had to change, simple really.
Good luck Gary and best wishes for the future and your new club, you'll certainly do them proud.”
by G, Bristol
Friday, March 19 2010, 1:49AM
“I posted this earlier -
Bristol City looking like they will be relegated to division 2 - Brian Tinnion replaced by Gary Johnston.
Year 1 Saves us from relegation
Year 2 Wins us promotion to Championship
Year 3 Wins play off final place, one game away from Premiership
Year 4 Finish 10th in Championship
Year 5 Defacto fired "by consent"
One of the most successful managers sacked because of a appalling season where everything that could go wrong has.
Any manager wanting to come to a club as fickle as Britsol City must be mad.
.”
by swedehead, bridgy
Thursday, March 18 2010, 11:36PM
“bring back russell osman”
by horefield, head
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:57PM
“Mr Ian Holloway is said to be interested in the city job. It will bring another six thousand disgruntled gas-heads to the gate. That leaves the men empty.”
by andy cappel, Ipswich
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:04PM
“Rumour has it ..
George Burley!!!”
by ashton, gate
Thursday, March 18 2010, 7:57PM
“When everyone has sobered up they will all realise that today we have lost a very good football manager. He may have upset people with his formations or even his selections, but in time he would have turned it around. He was a breath of fresh air to ashton gate and he will be missed. Now stop the neggs and get behind the team or go and support the GAS.”
by BS3, BS3
Thursday, March 18 2010, 7:48PM
“I blame wasters like Maynard for Johnsons departure, he scores twice against Plymouth but never worth the money or the investment!!!”
by Magpie, Newcastle
Thursday, March 18 2010, 7:18PM
“For csfRob, Ashton and Top Dogs, In South West
Time to go out now and sink some Brown Ales and enjoy the lasses. Warming up for Saturday's treat as well.
If we come cross some lost soul needing some paid work in your poart of the world we'll pass on your details to him and see if he applies for the post at the Gate.”
by Magpie, Newcastle
Thursday, March 18 2010, 7:14PM
“For Top Dogs, In the South West
Hi there. Like your get up and go. Shame your team haven't got that. But at least your manager had and guess what 'he's got up and gone'! (Ha ha).
He knows rubbish when he sees it and he's given up. Top Dogs in the South West ? But you can't be poor little Plymouth who are in the relegation zone. Maybe you're going to swap places with them and then we'll see who is Top Dog in the South West?
The less we talk about Sunderland the better . See what next season brings. Well be in the Premiership with them and then we can sort them out. Where will you be? Playing Rovers and that will be a real challenge for you.”