Former Bristol City manager Gary Johnson admitted he had often used confrontation to motivate his players during his four years at Ashton Gate.

The Londoner parted company with City yesterday – two days after a dressing room row with winger Ivan Sproule during the half-time break in the 3-2 defeat at Plymouth.

City insisted yesterday that the argument was not the direct reason for Johnson's departure.

The former Yeovil Town boss revealed he had said goodbye to most of his squad.

He said: "It was very difficult to see the players today – I couldn't see all of them – because we are close, even though sometimes you are nose-to-nose with each other.

"A lot of half-times I have had to throw the hand grenade to liven people up, and a lot of times they responded.

"We have that sort of relationship, that they understand what a manager has got to do most of the time, and we have enhanced most of their careers.

"Judging from what they said to me this morning, they are very grateful to me as a manager, and the chairman."

Johnson said he and chairman Steve Lansdown had agreed that now was the time to go their separate ways.

"I think people after four-and-a-half years get fed up with your talk. When people stop laughing at your jokes it is time to move on," he said.

"The biggest regret was not winning the play-off final.

"We could have used Premier League money to bring people in and not the chairman's money."

Johnson said, only half-jokingly, that he was using the press conference to advertise his availability to the rest of football.

"I am open to offers at this moment in time, which is why I am all suited and booted," he said. "I have already started selling myself.

"I am looking forward to the next challenge. Bristol City has been a fantastic club for me. When something comes up I have to be available."

Johnson backed Keith Millen to take the job if he wants it. His former assistant is yet to decide if he wants to apply to step up.

Johnson said: "I feel he is a football man 24 hours a day. He is certainly earning a living and not nicking one.

"He has been a fantastic assistant, very loyal and he works hard.

"He tends to stay in the background, so some people think he isn't doing as much as he does.

"I hope he gets the opportunity to put himself up for the job.

"If he needs advice I am going to be there, but he has to get on with it and see how he enjoys it.

"It is a lot different being in the No 1 seat to being No 2. But I think he can handle the pressure."

Unlike his chairman, Johnson did not make himself available for one-to-one interviews with the media yesterday.