Edmund Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has left his position at the Championship club by mutual consent.Assistant manager Keith Millen will take temporary charge at Ashton Gate. Chairman Steve Lansdown said: "I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary for the fantastic work he has done over four and a half years. "Results haven't gone as well as everyone would have liked this season and it's been mutually agreed that now is the right time to make a change." Johnson told the club website: "I'd like to thank the chairman for his continual support throughout the last four and a half years and congratulate him on taking the club to the level it currently enjoys. "I thank the majority of the club's fans for their tremendous support during my time with the club. "I thank the players and staff for their continued efforts in getting this club from what was a position at the bottom of League One when I joined, to promotion to the Championship, to the play-off final for a place in the Premier League and then to compete in the Championship thereafter. "I leave Bristol City FC with fond memories but feel the time is right to move on to a new challenge." Johnson, 54, arrived at Ashton Gate in September 2005 having enjoyed unprecedented success with Yeovil Town. In four years he led the Glovers from the Football Conference to League One as well as FA Trophy success. The former Latvia manager then took City up to the Championship in his first full season in charge having finished second in the promotion race. Bristol City's success continued as his side were just 90 minutes away from Premier League football before losing out to Hull in the 2008 play-off final at Wembley. Since them Johnson has struggled to match his early success with the club finishing in 10th place last season, 13 points off the play-off spots. City now find themselves 15th in the Championship just seven points off the relegation zone having won just two of their last 12 games. Assistant manager Keith Millen will take charge for the visit of league leaders Newcastle on Saturday. Harsh decision in my opinion. Looks like he's become a victim of his own success.
Darkzzz_ Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 He has done a wonderful job down there and I hope he can bounce back soon, I like Johnson.
Corky Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 Didn't he offer to resign after they lost to Cardiff? When that happens it's always going to be a struggle to carry on, but he did a good job there.
Guppy Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 One of my mates who support Bristol City just sent me this from one of their forums: Press Association notes this morning state at 10.27 last night, Gary Johnson resigned as the Bristol City manager, agreeing to take compensation up until the end of the 2010 - 2011 season, meaning Bristol City saved 2 years on the 5 year deal.Rumours of a half time bust up sadly seem true, with 3 players asking City chief Stephen Lansdown to tear up their contracts with immediate effect as they felt they could no longer work with Johnson. Lansdown reportedly very unhappy with these developments called an evening meeting to discuss the allegations and general poor performance of late both on and off the pitch in which he asked Johnson if he would resign, or take a public vote of confidence in which further altercations and poor results which would lead to him being sacked for misconduct, which was a clause in the five year signed contract, which would leave him unavailable for compensation after the season of departure. In company to his resignation he would leave with his reputation in tact and receive an agreed pay off. Apparently he punched Sproule at half time vs Plymouth, which I guess explains his departure.
lou Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 Most of these rumours are usually total bollocks to be fair. I like GJ, think hes a good manager and he'll go on to somewhere else and do a good job IMO
breadandcheese Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 If the rumours are true, why couldn't he have lamped Sproule before he scored against us? I think Johnson's an excellent manager and think there will be a number of clubs looking at him when they sack their manager.
CosbehFox Posted 18 March 2010 Posted 18 March 2010 Harsh decision in my opinion. Looks like he's become a victim of his own success. Tbf though the bloke has offered to resign and cleary felt at one point he could take them no further. I agree in point...they need to take that next step. They could well be a decent Premiership-sized club.
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