Bristol City confirm Gary Johnson exit by mutual consent
Gary Johnson leaves Championship outfit Bristol City by mutual consent, club announces
Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 11:27
By Matthew Champion.
Gary Johnson has left Championship outfit Bristol City by mutual consent after four and a half years at the club, it was confirmed on Thursday.
The 54-year-old was just one game away from taking the Robins to the Premier League in 2008 when they lost the playoff final to Hull City just a year after climbing out of League One.
Since then City have struggled to challenge for the playoff places, finishing tenth last season and are currently in 15th.
Club chairman Steve Lansdown thanked the former Yeovil and Latvia boss for his time at Aston Gate but said that "now is the right time to make a change".
Johnson himself said: "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."
Assistant manager Keith Millen will take charge of the first team for this Saturday's clash with Championship leaders Newcastle United.