Everything we know about Johnson’s right-hand man
Lee Johnson has brought right-hand man Jamie McAllister with him to the Stadium of Light – but what do we know about Sunderland’s latest coaching addition?
Johnson stated earlier this week that the 42-year-old had already begun to get to work at the Academy of Light, with McAllister on the touchline for Tuesday’s win at Oldham.
Butwhatdoweknowabout him? We take a look:
What was McAllister’s playing career like?:
A fullback during his playing career, McAllister enjoyed a number of fine stints at clubs in Scotland and England.
He cut his teeth at Queen of the South before going on to represent Aberdeen, Hearts and Livingston in the Scottish top flight.
McAllister first moved to England in 2006, joining Bristol City - with whom he would goontomakeover200appearances during a six-year stay at Ashton Gate.
Spells at Preston North End, Yeovil Town, Kerala Blasters and Exeter City followed before McAllister called time on his playing career in 2016.
He racked-up close to 650 senior appearances during his two decades in the game.
Where has he coached since his retirement?:
McAllister moved straight into coaching following his retirement, and teamed-up with Bristol City as their under-21 coach in the summer of 2016.
But within a matter of months, he had been promoted to the Robins’ first-team setup to work alongside Johnson as Assistant Head Coach.
The duo went on to establish Bristol City as a top-half Championship side while also embarking a memorable run in the League Cup – which saw them reach the semi-finals of the competition.
McAllister has never managed a team in his own right, although he was understood to be close to landing a managerial role at National League North side Gloucester City before the opportunity to reunite with Johnson appeared.
What is his relationship with Lee Johnson like and whattypeofcoachishe?: McAllister is known to have a strong working relationship with Johnson, with the duo havingworkedtogetherforthe vast majority of the former’s time in charge of Bristol City.
Indeed, Johnson has previously been quick to praise some key traits that he feels McAllister can bring to the backroom staff.
"He's aggressive when he needs to be - we all remember the way he played, but he's also sensible,” he said in 2016.
"He can talk to people in the right way, whether that is a board member or the parents of a 16-year-old."
And having earned his coaching stripes in youth football, it’s no surprise that McAllister is a big advocate of incorporating the under-23 squad with a senior side.
H e to l d th e Gu a rd i a n earlier this year: “If you’re a 14-year-old lad walking past an experienced pro, say, Ashley Williams, who has just finished training, conversation
happens that they might not get on separate sites.
“Ash can say: ‘I watched the last 20 minutes of your training today, I think you’re very good at this, but try this.’ I
think those moments are gold dust.”
What do we know about his role at Sunderland?: McAllister’s exact role at Sunderland is yet to be confirmed.
However, given the departure of Steve Parkin alongside Phil Parkinson, it’s reasonable to assume that McAllister will be assuming the duties as Johnson’s number two.