There’s a new manager named favourite for the recently made available Bristol City job with one reliable bookmaker, Sky Bet, now offering odds of 8/11.
Time was called on Lee Johnson’s four year stay at Ashton Gate following a dismal run of results coming as a blow to their chances of reaching the Championship playoffs.
It came just hours after the Robins suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Neil Harris’ Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, making it nine games without a win for the club.
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Current Assistant Head Coach Dean Holden will take over immediately in a caretaker capacity as the club look to appoint a successor.
City Chief Executive Mark Ashton said: “We recognise the huge amount of work that Lee has put in over the last four-and-a-half years to move this club forward and we thank him for all his efforts. There have been some special moments over those years and Lee has played a significant part in them.
“However, success in football is ultimately judged by results and league position and the Board believes that a change of management is needed now for Bristol City.”
Bristol City’s next opponents at relegation threatened Hull City on Wednesday night, with both sides hoping to pick up the three points.
City have five games remaining this season and are currently in 12th place in the Championship.
So, who is this manager named as new favourite for Bristol City job?
That is former Premier League boss Chris Hughton, who has expressed an interest in taking over from Lee Johnson, according to Sky Sports.
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He has been out of work for 14 months having been sacked by Brighton & Hove Albion after just about managing to keep them up last season.
He was most recently the favourite for the vacancy at Birmingham City, who are still yet to appoint a new manager with Pep Clotet stepping down at the end of the season.
Hughton had his contract terminated by the Seagulls – the team he won came Championship runners up with in 2017 despite avoiding the drop from the Premier League.
However he won just three of their last 23 league games and none of their final nine.
He has also managed Norwich City, Birmingham City and Newcastle United (won the Championship with in 2010).
In October 2019, Hughton turned down replacing Nathan Jones as manager Stoke City.
He also said: “I do want to get back in at the highest level that I can but I’m using my time out well and very much making the most of it.
“I’m in the fortunate position, I’m not a first time manager or second time manager that is worried about where the next job is coming from and it’s a very precarious profession that we’re in.
“So, I’m all through all of that. I supposed I would be seen as a more experienced manager now, so I think that takes a little bit of pressure off.”
He seemed adamant that he was good enough to manage a club in the Premier League again, however, now a change of heart sees Hughton wanting to take up the perfect challenge in guiding Bristol City to promotion.
Who are the other favourites for the job?
Newport County’s Michael Flynn has been listed at 4/1 and has developed a good working relationship with City to bring in George Nurse, Antoine Semenyo, Shawn McCoulsky, Cameron Pring and Tyreeq Bakinson on loan.
Since taking the reins at Rodney Parade in 2017, the 39-year-old has been part of the Exiles’ Great Escape from relegation to the National League, to then go on lucrative FA Cup giant-killing runs and also led them to the 2019 League Two playoff final.
Out of work manager Aitor Karanka is placed at 6/1, after managing Middlesbrough between 2013 and 2017, taking them up by finishing as Championship runner up in the 2015/16 season.
He got the chop in March 2017 after being winless in their last 10 Premier League games and sitting in the relegation zone, three points from safety with 11 games remaining.
Just under a year later, he then took charge of Nottingham Forest, though in January 2019, he departed the club after having asked to be released from his contract; he left the team in seventh position, four points behind the play-off places.
Other managers mentioned by the bookies are Rangers boss Steven Gerrard (8/1), Aston Villa assistant John Terry (12/1), already interested Mick McCarthy (16/1), Coventry’s title winning Mark Robins (18/1), Wigan’s Paul Cook (18/1), promotion winning Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe (18/1) and also successful Slavisa Jokanovic (18/1).
Fans gave their thoughts as manager Chris Hughton is named as the new favourite for the Bristol City job…
Would love to see Chris Hughton take the Bristol City job. They need a manager to take them to the level of promotion challengers and he has done that in every job he’s had in the Championship
Bristol is also a bloody good away day for fans of pubs. Get them in the Prem ASAP
— We Are Brighton (@wearebrighton) July 6, 2020
Chris Hughton for the Bristol City job ?
— Lollie ? (@littledumble) July 6, 2020
If we get Chris Hughton as Bristol City manager it will be a massive intent, Bristol City Football Club will massively progress under his management… Get it done now #BristolCity
— Joe Jones (@joejones1897) July 6, 2020
— Bristol City FC Supporters Page (@BCFC_Supporters) July 6, 2020
@XuandongRen why are u so bad at everything you do
— Will ? (@BluesWillll) July 6, 2020
Pretty sure Brighton played their way out of the Championship under him. Great pedigree, won promotion and kept a team in the Prem. Go get him @JonLansdown @stephenlansdow1 ??????
— Liam M. (@lpmoffatt) July 6, 2020
The fact he’s had 1 offer from a premier league club and 5 offers from other championship clubs shows his level. If he’s interested – we’ve got to make it happen.
Understandable that he’s not PERFECT, but surely there’s no one better available to us?— KH (@CliftonReds) July 6, 2020
Exactly ! His whole credibility is on the line after some of his previous appointments…
— NeilT (@bristolbarhoppe) July 6, 2020
Forget Lowe and Flynn be ambitious and get a manager like Hughton or himself. Forget managers from league 1 and 2 start acting like a club that wants to get out of the championship.
— Mr un pc. (@NotImpressed82) July 6, 2020
— Kieron Quigley (@KieronQuigley) July 6, 2020
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