Lee Johnson spent four years in charge of Bristol City between 2016 and 2020 having also played for the Robins

18:00, 15 Apr 2025Updated 18:01, 15 Apr 2025

Lee Johnson left Bristol City in the summer of 2020(Image: EFL)

Former Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has offered his verdict on the current play-off race in the Championship, suggesting the Reds’ supporters could see Liam Manning’s side through the remainder of the run-in at Ashton Gate.

Johnson, who featured in the Robins’ last play-off final as a player, spent four years in charge at Ashton Gate between 2016 and 2020. Although City came close to securing a place in the top six during his tenure, particularly in the 2018/19 campaign, they never managed to get their hands on that allusive play-off place before he was relieved of his duties in BS3.

Almost five years on from the now 43-year-old’s departure, the Reds find themselves fifth in the Championship, four points clear of seventh-placed West Brom with just four games remaining of the regular season. Although a place in the top six is by no means secured with crucial games against Sunderland, Luton Town, Leeds United and Preston North End still to come, City’s destiny is in their own hands at this stage.

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Following his spell in charge in the West Country, Johnson spent just over a year at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland’s head coach, with the Black Cats then in League One. Now, under the management of Regis Le Bris, they have already secured their place in the Championship play-offs this season. Although the current Lommel SK boss didn’t manage to win promotion with either side, he insists he is proud to see where they are now.

“They’re both great clubs, very close to my heart for different reasons,” Johnson said on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Baker show. “I think Bristol City is a really interesting one in terms of the fans.

“The fans will be crazy up for this and could potentially see them through, obviously having played there as well.

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“Sunderland has got that slightly higher level of expectation if you like within the fanbase, but they’re up there and it’s great to see previous clubs doing well. A lot of players within that have obviously come through the academy as well doing well so again, you look on those moments with great pride and it’s great to see.”

After being sacked by Sunderland, Johnson had spells in charge of both Hibernian and Fleetwood Town before taking over a year out of first-team management. In that time, the 43-year-old worked as a coach in the City Football Group, helping prepare fringe and development players ahead of the 2024/25 season.

However, the former City boss returned to management just last month when he was appointed as interim head coach of Belgian Pro League side Lommel SK. Having won three of his opening five matches, Johnson has guided his new side to safety and is yet to completely close the door on extending his stay in Belgium.

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“I think everything’s open,” he admitted. “At the moment, like you said the contract is just an interim one until the end of May and then we’ll go from there. Really, the focus has literally been full focus on the job.

“You’re trying to implement a lot of things in a short period of time so the cognitive load for the players and obviously me learning about the individuals, about the team has taken full focus. As things start to settle down over the next couple of weeks I’m sure we’ll have those chats and work out what’s the best thing to do.”

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