Barnsley have allowed manager Lee Johnson to leave Oakwell to become manager of Championship side Bristol City.
Johnson had steered his Barnsley side to a sensational run of six straight wins in Sky Bet League One, however the 34-year-old has decided to take up a new challenge with Championship strugglers Bristol City.
Johnson, son of Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson, signed on as Barnsley manager on 25th February 2015 after a stint as boss of fellow League One outfit Oldham. The Tykes went seven games unbeaten immediately after Johnson became boss, but also went 10 games without a win between 17th March and 25th April 2015. Johnson eventually guided Barnsley to a 12th place mid-table finish.
After a solid start in the 2015/16 season, Barnsley’s season began to unravel, as a run of eight straight defeats condemned The Tykes to the relegation places. With Barnsley entrenched deeply at the foot of the League One table, calls for Johnson’s head reverberated around Oakwell.
However, an inspired run of form has seen Johnson’s men win six straight, not having lost since a 19th December clash with Wigan Athletic.
Today on Barnsley’s club website, a statement was published reading:
“We have been advised by Lee Johnson that he wishes to join Bristol City.”
“Barnsley Football Club have accepted his decision and agreed proper compensation with Bristol City.”
Johnson has very recent history at Ashton Gate, having made 174 league appearances and scoring 11 goals as a player in six years with The Robins between 2006 and 2012.
