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Johnson Agrees New City Deal
Thursday, December 8th 2016
Lee Johnson has put pen to paper on a new contract, tying him to the club until 2020.
- Johnson extends City contract until 2020
- News announced at Bristol Sport Gala Dinner
- Head coach took charge in February
The news of the City head coach’s extended deal was announced this evening at the Bristol Sport Gala Dinner, held in the Lansdown Restaurant.
Johnson, 35, was handed the reins in February on a three-and-a-half-year deal, having managed Oldham Athletic and Barnsley previously.
He helped steer City away from the Championship relegation zone, finishing the 2015/16 campaign in 18th place, 12 points clear of the drop zone.
What followed was a summer packed with transfer activity, as 33 deals took place, with both incomings and outgoings at Ashton Gate.
A promising start to the 2016/17 campaign, now in the ‘new’ 27,000-seater Ashton Gate, has prompted City’s board to reward Johnson with a further year’s extension.
Johnson said: “From my point of view, I’m delighted and encouraged that Steve Lansdown and the Board have offered me this opportunity to extend my contract so early into my tenure.
“It just confirms how happy I am about my time back here so far and shows we are doing something right.
“I’ve really enjoyed my nine months in charge so far and the personal relationships I’ve built with the staff, board, players and supporters. I’d like to thank everyone who has made me feel so welcome since my return.
“Like I said when I was appointed, Bristol City is the perfect club for me. We want to deliver success; everything about the club is progressive and that’s why I’m desperate to be a part of that in the long term.”
City’s chief operating officer Mark Ashton said: “When I interviewed him for the head coach’s job, at the request of Steve, I instantly realised Lee was the right fit for the football club.
“He clearly had an established history with the football club, and so did his family.
“From day one he has delivered a genuine professionalism. He’s good, honest, fair but also tough to work with because we set high standards.
“We demand the best from ourselves but also those around us.
“Once we had secured our Championship status, the next step was to see how we would progress.
“We had a busy and, I believe, a successful summer recruitment programme. The proof was then in the pudding to be able to knit that group together.
“While I think the group is still learning and developing, it’s important to recognise those people who have played a part in achieving what we have so far.
“This is a long-term project and that’s why I believe it was important to tie Lee down for another year.
“We’ve recruited young, hungry players with a few experienced players around them. With that, it’s important to have stability in all areas of the football club to ensure that programme of delivery continues. Lee’s fundamental to that.
“This deal is a balance of rewarding Lee but also for securing his services for a longer period of time.
“There’s a lot of work to be done; we’re just at the start of what we’re trying to build. I reiterate, it’s so important to tie down our key assets. We do it with the playing squad and I think Lee is one of our key assets as well.”
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