Fleetwood Town are on the search for their third permanent manager of the season after confirming that Lee Johnson has left the club with immediate effect.
The 42-year-old was only appointed in September following the sacking of Scott Brown, who was axed after picking up just one point from their opening six League One fixtures. It was a run of form which left the Cod Army firmly within the relegation places, although it was a decision which came as a shock after Brown guided the club to a comfortable 13th-placed finish last season.
Johnson arrived just two weeks after he was sacked from Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian, who found themselves bottom of the table after losing their opening three games of the campaign.
A temporary upturn in form followed his appointment at Highbury, but last night’s 2-0 defeat against title-chasing Bolton Wanderers means the Lancashire outfit are now seven league games without a win and left them just one point above bottom side Carlisle United and five points from safety.
In a short statement on the official club website, Fleetwood confirmed the departure of the former Sunderland boss:
“Fleetwood Town can confirm Lee Johnson has left the club with immediate effect.
Club Statement: Lee Johnson
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) December 30, 2023
“Assistant Manager Darren Way and First Team Coach Phil Jevons will also depart – everyone at the Club would like to place on record our thanks to Lee, Darren, and Phil for their hard work and professionalism during their time at the club.
“The Club will issue a further update on the first team staff in due course.”
Fleetwood travel to Shrewsbury Town on New Year’s Day before hosting promotion hopefuls Derby County five days later.
Writer’s View
Although Fleetwood look destined to return to League Two after a a decade in the third tier, the announcement has still come as a shock. Johnson only arrived in September and has yet to navigate a transfer window and the opportunity to bring in the players he wants.
However, the timing of this is not a coincidence and the Cod Army will be hoping to make a swift appointment to give their new manager ample chance to add to the squad ahead of what is set to be a pivotal few months at Highbury.
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