Former Latics boss in Bristol talks

Lee Johnson

BRISTOL City has been given permission to approach Barnsley head coach and former Athletic boss Lee Johnson over the club’s management.

The Robins sacked previous boss Steve Cotterill last month in a bid to stave off relegation from the Sky Bet Championship and want Johnson (34), who left Oldham in February 2015, to replace him.

Bristol confirmed it has been given permission to approach Johnson but has made no other comment

Johnson, who spent five seasons as a player with City before leaving in 2012, was named Sky Bet League One manager of the month for January after turning round a dismal start to his first full season in charge at Barnsley.

The Yorkshire club was in the relegation zone at Christmas, but has mounted a play–off challenge on the back of six straight league wins and booked a place at Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final on Thursday.

Johnson became the league’s youngest manager when appointed by Athletic in 2013 aged 31.