Fulham, West Brom and Brighton eyeing up Bristol City manager Lee Johnson - EXCLUSIVE LEE JOHNSON will be a manager in demand this summer – if he fails to lead Bristol City into the Premier League. Lee Johnson could be heading out of Bristol City if they don't go up. Fulham, who are heading in the opposite direction, are waiting to see whether Johnson’s men reach the Championship Play Offs before deciding on the future of current caretaker Scott Parker. And the Londoners are not alone with their interest in Johnson, 37. Top-flight strugglers Brighton and and City’s potential promotion rivals, West Brom are also monitoring his situation closely. After beating Millwall in midweek the Robins head into the final day of the Championship still in the hunt for the last play-off spot. To take it, they must win at Hull and hope Derby lose at home to the Baggies and Middlesbrough fail to take three points at relegated Rotherham. Should they miss out, however, the West Country’s resolve to keep their sought-after boss will be seriously tested – along with his own desire to stay for a fourth year. The good news for the Robins is that Johnson appears in no hurry to leave. Indeed, he says he is already planning big for next season. Ahead of the crunch trip to the Tigers, the Ashton Gate chief revealed: “There'll be new players coming in this summer, without question. “The club's in an absolutely brilliant position to drive forward - whatever division we're in." On what is bound to be a tension-riddled afternoon, Johnson intends to be across all the action unfolding at Pride Park and the New York stadium. The ex-City midfielder added: “I want to be in touch. That’s important. It doesn't change the players' mindset on the pitch. We've still got to capitalise on moments in the game. “I know we can and I know we've got the talent to do it. I respect Hull but this game is all about us.” https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f...ew-manager-Bristol-City-Lee-Johnson-EXCLUSIVE
But isn’t Chris Hughton safe at Brighton? He’s a manager I would not say no to in the championship if LJ moved on.
Weird one Chris Hughton, seems a really nice bloke and knows the way out of the Championship......but can't seem to suss the premiership..... I agree, if LJ moved on, he would be good, if just to get us up!!!
If these clubs are queueing up to sign LJ as stated surely that enables him to challenge SL to open up the purse strings and go for Premier status next season, if not he mves on, reputation intact and succeeds with another club. Either way it would prove whether the Bristol City owner has the ambition and desire for success or not and also has LJ got the bollocks to step outside of his comfort zone and move on. It will add a bit of zest to the closed season.
It has the possibility of being the most interesting off season for many years and it will be a time of decisions for many at Ashton Gate. Steve and Lee need to sort out their individual priorities and decide if they are on the same page and, if they are, only then can we move forward in an organized fashion. Lee will surely be looking at getting a commitment from SL and unless he sees his personal ambitions being addressed by the top brass he could very well be on his way to other pastures.
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson: "It's been 46 games and we just fell short. It has been a good progression again from a wonderful football club. "Nobody fancied us at the start of the season and we've taken it to the last game. I was getting updated with results but we still wanted to win. "That leaves us looking at next season, taking all the positives and hopefully taking it one step forward next season. "Bristol City is a fantastic club. This is my team, my club if you like, and I'm solely focused on driving it forward." Sounds like he's still up for the challenge with us to me!!
Reminds me of the passion shown by Terry Cooper when he took us to the Freight Rover Trophy. He was so proud of that team and said something along the same lines as Lee...."this is my team... ". Loved that passion and affinity for the club!
