Bristol City name Lee Johnson as new boss

Lee Johnson has left Barnsley to become the new Bristol City manager on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Johnson follows in the footsteps of his father Gary to take the Ashton Gate hot seat and arrives as the recent winner of the League One Manager of the Month award.

Bristol City have been fighting for survival all season in the Championship and Johnson joins the club above the drop zone after the boost of a 1-0 victory secured on Saturday against fellow relegation battlers Charlton.

Barnsley had faced fortunes similar to the Robins earlier in the season after six straight league defeats in October had cast doubts over Johnson’s future. But with the addition of Adam Hammill and a number of loan signings the Tykes have since become the in form team of League One and lie five points off the play-offs.

The club’s chief operating officer Mark Ashton said: “Lee is a very bright, intelligent young man who is highly motivated and very detailed in his approach. He’s well-known to the club; fans, stakeholders and staff.

“He is one of the up and coming coaches in the country and having interviewed him, I had no hesitation in recommending to the Board that Lee is the right fit for this football club.

“Lee also has the advantage of knowing Bristol City very well and will be able to fit seamlessly back into Ashton Gate,” said Ashton.

The club confirmed caretaker coach John Pemberton and the rest of the backroom staff will remain in the West Country under Johnson’s charge.