Ex-Bristol City and Sunderland manager sacked after Aston Villa thrashing

Scottish club Hibernian have relieved former Bristol City manager Lee Johnson of his managerial duties.

His 15-month spell as manager of the Scottish Premiership side has come to an end, following their latest result. Hibs lost 3-2 to Livingston, making for their third consecutive league defeat of the season which has left them bottom of the league.

It was the second defeat of the week for Hibernian, who lost 5-0 to Premier League giants Aston Villa in their UEFAEuropa Conference League play-off match.

Hibs had suffered an embarrassing defeat to Andorran outfit Inter Club d’Escaldes on their route to tie, but managed to progress in the second leg. They defeateated Swiss outfit FC Luzern, but are extremely unlikely to reach the group stages of European football’s third-tier competition following their heavy defeat on Wednesday to Unai Emery’s side.

A club statement on Sunday read: “Hibernian FC can confirm that that Lee Johnson has departed the Club as First Team Manager.

Chief Executive Ben Kensell added: “The Club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.

“We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”

Former Robins defender Jamie McAllister, who was Johnson’s first-team coach, has also left Easter Road. His son Reuben McAllister left Ashton Gate last year for a reported £250,000, and made his senior debut in Europe earlier this summer.

Johnson brought former Bristol City goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott to Edinburgh too, and had also signed the likes of Adam Le Fondre and Jordan Obita, who are familiar names to those with an interest in English football.

Hibernian was Johnson’s second club since being sacked by Bristol City in July 2020. His record at Hibs was 51 matches, 20 wins, eight draws and 24 defeats, guiding them to a fifth-placed finish in his one-and-only full campaign.