The opinions in this article are that of the writer and do not necessarily express the opinions of ITFM as a whole.
Why Gary Johnson Should be Our Next Boss
I believethe next manager should be experienced, current Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is one of the most experienced managers in the game at 53 and over 21 years in football management.
In a varied managerial career he's managed Newmarket Town, Cambridge United,, Kettering Town, Latvia and Yeovil City alongside Bristol City. He was John Beck's no.2 at Cambridge helping to orchestrate they're remarkable rise during the 90's.
As Latvia manager for two years from 1999-2001 he spotted the talents of Marian Pahars and Igors Stepanovs and recommended them to Southampton and Arsenal respectively. He is still well thought of by both players for giving them a break in the English League.
Following the end of his reign of Latvia manager after a 1-1 draw against San Marino, Johnson was appointed as manager of Yeovil in June 2001 his reign saw the clubs rise from conference football. In his first year, he won the FA Trophy and finished 3rd in the Conference.
His second season however saw Yeovil promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history, as Champions. They having been tipped by many people as promotion candidates in just their second season of league football, won Division Three to be promoted to the third tier of English Football.
In September 2005 after Yeovil had started the season well, he took over as manager of Bristol City. In his first season he overcame a poor run of form in October and November that included a long losing streak and steered them clear of relegation to the verge of the play-offs and finishing 9th
Johnson did however win promotion to the second tier in the 2006/7 season During this time the club went on an 18 game unbeaten run which allowed them to clinch promotion on 5th May 2007 to the Championship with a 3-1 win against Rotherham on the final day of the season.
The following season against all expectations in Bristol Johnson guided them to a top 6 place in the Championship on a shoe string budget surprising pundits and fans alike. After losing in the play-off final to Hull, he made his players watch on the pitch, Hull celebrate, as a motivation for the next season.
It is my belief that Johnson is a tactically astute manager who likes his teams to play passing football which is close to the hearts of many Ipswich Town Fans. He always gets the best out of his team.
Johnson is also a popular interviewee, as he tends to avoid cliché, and comes up with good quotes and has a good sense of humour. This would be an important as it would bring back a lot of the local press, who have been so negative during Jim's reign.
He also spots and develops talent such as David Cotterill who was sold to Wigan for 2m. His win ratio is good as well, gaining 43.83% in 559 games compared to Jim's 38.57% in 140.
Johnson did however win promotion to the second tier in the 2006/7 season During this time the club went on an 18 game unbeaten run which allowed them to clinch promotion on 5th May 2007 to the Championship with a 3-1 win against Rotherham on the final day of the season.
The following season against all expectations in Bristol Johnson guided them to a top 6 place in the Championship on a shoe string budget surprising pundits and fans alike. After losing in the play-off final to Hull, he made his players watch on the pitch, Hull celebrate, as a motivation for the next season.
It is my belief that Johnson is a tactically astute manager who likes his teams to play passing football which is close to the hearts of many Ipswich Town Fans. He always gets the best out of his team.
Johnson is also a popular interviewee, as he tends to avoid cliché, and comes up with good quotes and has a good sense of humour. This would be an important as it would bring back a lot of the local press, who have been so negative during Jim's reign.
He also spots and develops talent such as David Cotterill who was sold to Wigan for 2m. His win ratio is good as well, gaining 43.83% in 559 games compared to Jim's 38.57% in 140.
The Ipswich job, for me, would be a natural progression in his career, and a real chance to match his ambition in taking a side into the Premiership.
I can't see any other man more suitable for the Ipswich job, can you?
I can't see any other man more suitable for the Ipswich job, can you?