Football Former City boss Johnson looks set to land Hibs job

LEE Johnson will step back into management and return to Scotland to take the vacant role at Hibernian.

The former Bristol City manager has been without work since he was sacked as Sunderland manager in January following a 6-0 defeat to Bolton with the club third in League One.

Hibernian have been on the lookout for a new manager since Shaun Maloney’s sacking last month after just 120 days in charge, having finished the season in eighth.

Johnson, 40, is expected to be appointed today after The Scotsman revealed he held talks with the club last week. Owner Ron Gordon flew from the US to hold interviews with potential candidates, which also reportedly included former Oxford United manager Michael Appleton.

The club are just tying the final details together over Johnson’s desired backroom staff, including his trusted No 2 and former teammate Jamie McAllister.

Hibernian wanted to appoint a manager with knowledge and experience of English football, a box that Johnson ticks following his time with Oldham, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland.

Johnson, pictured, has been eager to return to work since leavbring ing the Black Cats. A major factor behind his dismissal with the refusal to sign club favourite Jermain Defoe over his fitness concerns despite the board’s desire to the veteran striker back. Defoe ended up retiring from the game two months later.

Johnson’s first experience in Scotland started as a player for Hearts, Hibs’ fierce rivals. He made just five appearances before rejoining father Gary at Bristol City. He would return up north at the end of his career, playing for Kilmarnock before hanging up his boots.

He’ll be tasked with getting Hibernian further up the table and pushing for a European spot as well as providing long-term stability on the pitch and in the dugout with

Hibernian having appointed two managers this season.

Johnson is expected to have money to spend this summer and is planning a busy transfer market.

Johnson spent 217 games in the dugout at City, earning a 38.7 win percentage, and helped guide the Robins up to eighth, including an EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City. He was sacked in July 2020.