The ‘no-brainer’ decision made by Nigel Pearson on Bristol City midfielder

Nigel Pearson said that offering Andy King a new contract was a ‘no brainer’ as he hopes to bring him onto his coaching staff at Bristol City.

King was one of four new players offered new terms by the Robins, whilst Callum O’Dowda was let go after six years of service.

The 33-year-old was offered a place on the backroom staff in a role that would combine his playing duties with an increased presence on the training ground.

King had joined City on a one-year deal after leaving OH Leuven, Pearson’s former club in the summer after just one appearance.

He made 15 appearances across the course of the season, starting 10 matches, but struggled with a recurring hamstring injury.

Despite issues with hamstring injuries, which saw him go for surgery twice in the season, the former Leicester City boss is keen for him to stay at Ashton Gate.

He along with centre-back duo Robbie Cundy and Timm Klose were offered new deals, as well as young goalkeeper Will Buse.

“I’d like Andy King to be part of my staff as a player-coach. I’ve done it before at clubs I have been at,” said the 58-year-old on his reason why King was offered the chance to stay.

“It’s a really good way of not just allowing but making an easier pathway for players who have an awful lot to give on the pitch but their knowledge and their aspirations in staying in the game, it helps their development.

“Kingy for me is an absolute no-brainer, he’s a really intelligent footballer. He’s got a bright future in the game either as a coach or manager. It’s in our best interests to help him with his development.”

King already possesses a UEFA A Licence after undergoing an intensive course with the Football Association of Wales in 2020, alongside former City defender Ashley Williams.

If accepted, he would follow in the footsteps of someone like Chris Powell, who was a player-coach at Leicester under Pearson, helping them reach the Championship play-off semi-finals.

As well as those out of contract, Pearson was quizzed about any potential sale of star Antoine Semenyo, given the recent and reported interest in him

The 22-year-old has his best career season with the club, registering 12 assists and eight goals, despite missing a chunk of the first part through injury.

His form and formidable partnerships with Chris Martin and top scorer Andi Weimann have not gone amiss, with Derby County boss Wayne Rooney of the belief that they are one of the best attacks in the league.

With his good form, Semenyo has attracted interest from other clubs, including a scout watching over him against Reading, as well as there is reported interest from Bournemouth and Premier League hopefuls, Nottingham Forest.

Pearson gave an honest answer as to how they would deal with any potential bids but will continue to include him in his plans moving forward, with no worry of any imminent departure.

“I don’t spend too much time worrying about that. I think we will, in time, have decisions to make on him but hopefully, he’ll be here this year,” he told BBC Radio Bristol.

“Would I stand in his way of going to top a Premier League side? Absolutely not. But it would have to be the right deal for us, as a team. As a football club, the financial offset for losing someone like Antoine is going to be considerable and people need to be aware of that.

“We don’t want to be a selling club, we want to keep our best player, of course, we do, but the reality of where we are is there are times when that stance will be stretched and it will be questioned, and what we have to do is make the right decision for us as a football club.

"We’ll have a better chance of succeeding next year if Antoine is here. But if he goes somewhere he’s going to be expensive for somebody.”