Former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson has today agreed to mutually terminate his contract with National League South side Torquay United.
Torquay are in all sorts of trouble both on and off the pitch currently, but it is the off the pitch problems which are significantly more pressing. Earlier today, it was announced by owner Clarke Osborne that he could no longer fund the club, and as a result, they have entered administration.
It is a huge fall from grace for a once-well established EFL club and their future existence is very much up in the air currently. Although they may sit 11th in the league, there is a significant gap to the play-offs and it looks highly unlikely that Torquay will get promoted to the fifth tier this season.
Johnson has been with the club for the last five and a half years, and the decision to step down can easily be put down to today’s news. It is currently unknown what his next move will be, but given his background it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him maybe even make the step back up to the National League. That being said, Johnson is now 68 and some teams may be put off by that as a result.
During a managerial career spanning over 30 years, Johnson has plenty of EFL clubs on his CV. That includes the likes of Cambridge United, Peterborough United, Northampton Town, Yeovil Town and Cheltenham Town. However the 68-year-old is potentially best known for his work with Bristol City.
He would take the Robins into the Championship after finishing the 2006/07 season as runners-up to Scunthorpe United. That would end an eight-year spell in the third tier, and Bristol City have established themselves as a consistent Championship club, only suffering relegation once since.
A statement on Torquay’s website reads,
Following discussions between both parties earlier today, Johnson’s departure as United manager was agreed by mutual consent.
Johnson would then go onto say:
“After discussions today with the Football Club, we have mutually agreed that I should leave Torquay United with immediate effect.
“I have enjoyed most of my five and a half year tenure, but given the current situation, both parties agreed to part ways. I thank the players, the football staff, the office staff, as well as the Chairman & Directors for their support over this time.
“I wish the Club all the best for the future.”
Writer’s View
The choice to move on comes as no surprise given Torquay’s current situation and it a sad day for everyone involved at the club. What’s next for Johnson is very much unknown given his age, though he does still seem to have something to give.
Bristol City fans will have fond memories of their former manager and he played a huge part in where they are today. Although they’ll want to push on to the Premier League one day, safety in the second tier is always an achievement and they’ve looked to have done just that again this season.
