Just one win in 17 ..forced to move house to escape fans’ abuse.. on the brink of the sack.. how boss Lee Johnson transformed a broken Bristol City into heroic giant-killers
LEE JOHNSON reckons Bristol City’s cup giant-killing of Manchester United made all of last season’s struggles worthwhile.
When Korey Smith struck the injury-time winner that will go into the club’s folklore, Johnson dashed down the touchline Jose Mourinho style and celebrated wildly by swinging ball boy Jaden Neale in the air. Understandably, all selfcontrol was lost in the euphoria of one of the most famous moments in the Robins’ history. But by the time he came to reflect on his incredible journey from the depths a year ago to the heights of toppling mighty Manchester United, Johnson was back in control of his emotions and showing the sort of calm he must have needed to steer City and his family through seriously choppy waters.
Exactly a year ago the team were three games into a clubrecord run of eight successive league defeats.
By March that sequence had extended to just one league win in 17, and Johnson was on the brink of the axe.
During the worst times, his address was posted online and the abuse he received forced his family to move house, “stuff happened” at the school his daughter attended because of her dad’s struggles and he even received a death threat after the January signing of Matty Taylor – who set up Smith’s winner – from bitter rivals Bristol Rovers.
The Johnson family were also
coping with Lee’s dad Gary, a former Ashton Gate boss, having a life saving triple heart bypass operation in March – carried out by the surgeon father of City’s other scorer against United, Joe Bryan.
“It makes it all worthwhile doesn’t it,” Johnson said about his happy ending to a tough 12 months.
“We went through that together as a fan base, playing and coaching staff but we came through, which was the most important thing.” Yet having to uproot his family particularly affected him. He said: “Listen, it’s part of life. It’s such a media-driven world now, social media, a storm can be whipped up very, very quickly.
“It can happen but the beauty of this club is it’s a stable environment and we have a top owner.”
That is Steve Lansdown, whose decision to ignore the storm and stick with Johnson is now being vindicated, with the Championship side also in contention for promotion.
Johnson, who started at Arsenal as a youth player and made nearly 200 appearances for City after being signed when his father was boss, said: “When the pressure really cranked up he stood firm and I think it was the right thing and hopefully that is proved now.”
Next up in the League Cup is a semi-final with Manchester City, who might live to regret giving Johnson inside knowledge of the club when he was at Oldham. He said: “They’ve been fantastic for me ever since I’ve been a manager. People like [City chief ] Brian Marwood accepted me in behind the scenes and allowed me to visit various clubs within their group.
“I visited New York City and was due to go to Yokohama Marinos as well. They have helped me grow as a young manager with the psychology and philosophy.
“It’s a beast of an organisation but so fascinating the way they have done it.
“They have so many top people and now a top, top coach in Pep Guardiola. And the football they play is unbelievable.
“It’s a huge challenge, over two legs particularly. It will be amazing for the players first and foremost to test themselves but also for myself and the fans to have hopefully two great games.”