Ex-Sunderland boss explains biggest regret and eyes next job five-and-a-half months after League One sacking

13/06/2024 Raymond 0

Former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has been reflecting on his tenure at the Stadium of Light and expressed a strong desire to return to management. Johnson, who was dismissed by Fleetwood Town last December and later managed Hibernian in Scotland, shared his thoughts with the Daily Mail. He emphasized his eagerness to re-enter management, asserting his confidence in his abilities and the impact he can make. Johnson highlighted the competitive nature of football and hoped that his overall decade-long career would be considered rather than his recent challenges.

Reflecting on his time at Sunderland, Johnson expressed no regrets and spoke fondly of the club, its fans, and its facilities. He acknowledged his disappointment at not being able to see through the promotion but was pleased with the club’s success under Alex Neil’s leadership. Johnson cherished his experience at Sunderland, praising the club’s deep-rooted identity and the passion of everyone involved. Despite exploring various opportunities within football, Johnson’s passion for coaching remains undiminished. He described coaching as a driving force in his life, relishing the camaraderie, the excitement of wins, and the unique thrill of building something special.

Match Preview: Stoke City v Bristol City (Saturday, 12.30pm)

02/05/2024 Raymond 0

Bristol City is set to take on Stoke City this Saturday in the Championship, aiming to extend their impressive unbeaten streak. The Robins have gone undefeated in their last seven matches, securing four victories and three draws leading up to the 12:30 pm kickoff. Their opponents, Stoke, have also displayed a solid performance lately, with three wins and three draws in their recent fixtures.

Liam Manning drops Matty James contract hint as Bristol City captain is ruled out of Stoke clash

01/05/2024 Raymond 0

Matty James will miss Bristol City’s final match of the season against Stoke City due to minor surgery for a hernia, but head coach Liam Manning has suggested that the midfielder might continue with the club beyond this summer. James, the team captain, is among four first-team players whose contracts expire next month, and his absence from the upcoming match indicates that his last appearance for the club, unless circumstances change, was the 64 minutes he played in the victory over Rotherham United.

While a contract offer has been made to Joe Williams to extend his stay, there has been no mention of James, who joined the club three years ago. If Williams remains and with Max Bird joining from Derby County after his loan spell, along with Jason Knight and Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Bristol City will have four senior central midfielders for the next season, excluding others who play further forward or younger talents like Adam Murphy and Jed Meerholz. However, Manning has suggested that this number could increase to five, with ongoing discussions and meetings to decide James’ future.

Gooch, Pearson, Leris – Stoke City injury latest ahead of season finale vs Bristol City

30/04/2024 Raymond 0

Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher faces crucial assessments regarding the fitness of Lynden Gooch and Ben Pearson. Both players are nearing recovery from hamstring strains sustained in a previous match against Norwich on March 16. However, Schumacher’s primary concern is ensuring their readiness for an intensive pre-season regimen rather than rushing them back into action, especially given Stoke’s secure position in the Championship standings.