We Can't Have Owt, Can We?

Last updated : 05 February 2016 By Alastair Limb (@AliTheTyke)

From ecstasy last night, to a somewhat sombre day at Barnsley Football Club.

Not 12 hours after Lee Johnson had masterminded his Barnsley team to a Wembley final, was he travelling to the West Country to hold talks with former club Bristol City over their vacant managerial position.

Last night was a joyous occasion for everyone linked with the football club, and a beaming Johnson told the Sky cameras about how he was looking forward to leading his side out for the Johnstones Paint Trophy final in April.

But the morning after the night before revealed that the Barnsley FC powers that be, had given the Championship strugglers permission to speak to Johnson, having sacked Steve Cotterill last month.

It would seem remarkable should Johnson decide to leave Oakwell, given that the board stuck by their man during that miserable eight game losing streak. But this is football these days, loyalty is pretty much out of the window with both players and managers.

I for one will be sad to see LJ leave, because I have been one of his biggest supporters, even throughout that dismal run, when 75% of supporters were calling for his head, and, to be fair most clubs would have relieved a manager of their duties on the back of a run so poor.

But, after six straight league wins and booking a place in the JPT final, people have started to look up and take notice of a young manager finally starting to turn the corner and get results, so much so that Johnson was awarded the manager of the month award for January in League One.

I suppose the fact he was so blasé about the links to the Ashton Gate post, indicated that he would have an interest should he be approached, and the fact that Barnsley tonight released a statement to say that Johnson's assistant Tommy Wright, and Reds academy boss Paul Heckingbottom would be in charge of first team training and match preparation for Sunday, pretty much confirms that Johnson is set to become the new head coach of Bristol City.

As we all know, it's not done and dusted until the clubs confirm the move, but less than a year after doing the exact same thing to Oldham, it looks as though Johnson is about to walk out on Barnsley.