[BBC]
Johnson signed a five-year deal in September 2008
Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has left his position at the Championship club by mutual consent.
Assistant manager Keith Millen will take temporary charge at Ashton Gate.
"I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving but we felt it was right that I look for a new challenge," Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol.
"[Chairman] Stephen Lansdown and I always said when we both felt the time was right for a fresh face we would both know that time."
Johnson continued: "You know when people stop laughing at your jokes it's time to leave.
"It's been a difficult couple of months and we've all been under pressure to try and sustain a challenge in what is a very, very difficult league.
"A lot of these lads have worked very hard to get this club to be a comfortable Championship club and I don't feel that people were giving them enough credit for that."
Lansdown said: "I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary for the fantastic work he has done over four and a half years.
"Results haven't gone as well as everyone would have liked this season and it's been mutually agreed that now is the right time to make a change."
Johnson, 54, arrived at Ashton Gate in September 2005 having enjoyed unprecedented success with Yeovil Town.
In four years he led the Glovers from the Football Conference to League One as well as FA Trophy success.
The former Latvia manager then took City up to the Championship in his first full season in charge having finished second in the promotion race.
Bristol City's success continued as his side were just 90 minutes away from Premier League football before losing out to Hull in the 2008 play-off final at Wembley.
JOHNSON'S RECORD AT CITY
2006: League One 9th
2007: League One 2nd
2008: Championship 4th
2009: Championship 10th
2010: Championship 15th
Since them Johnson has struggled to match his early success with the club finishing in 10th place last season, 13 points off the play-off spots.
City now find themselves 15th in the Championship just seven points off the relegation zone having won just two of their last 12 games.
Assistant manager Keith Millen is in the hot seat for Saturday's visit of league leaders Newcastle as the search for a new permanent boss starts.
Johnson himself is already on the look out for a new job.
"You're open to offers, which is why I'm suited and booted and I am looking forward to the next challenge," he said.
"If something comes up you've got to be available for it if it's something you want to do."
Johnson signed a five-year deal in September 2008
Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has left his position at the Championship club by mutual consent.
Assistant manager Keith Millen will take temporary charge at Ashton Gate.
"I'm obviously disappointed to be leaving but we felt it was right that I look for a new challenge," Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol.
"[Chairman] Stephen Lansdown and I always said when we both felt the time was right for a fresh face we would both know that time."
Johnson continued: "You know when people stop laughing at your jokes it's time to leave.
"It's been a difficult couple of months and we've all been under pressure to try and sustain a challenge in what is a very, very difficult league.
"A lot of these lads have worked very hard to get this club to be a comfortable Championship club and I don't feel that people were giving them enough credit for that."
Lansdown said: "I would like to place on record my thanks to Gary for the fantastic work he has done over four and a half years.
"Results haven't gone as well as everyone would have liked this season and it's been mutually agreed that now is the right time to make a change."
Johnson, 54, arrived at Ashton Gate in September 2005 having enjoyed unprecedented success with Yeovil Town.
In four years he led the Glovers from the Football Conference to League One as well as FA Trophy success.
The former Latvia manager then took City up to the Championship in his first full season in charge having finished second in the promotion race.
Bristol City's success continued as his side were just 90 minutes away from Premier League football before losing out to Hull in the 2008 play-off final at Wembley.
JOHNSON'S RECORD AT CITY
2006: League One 9th
2007: League One 2nd
2008: Championship 4th
2009: Championship 10th
2010: Championship 15th
Since them Johnson has struggled to match his early success with the club finishing in 10th place last season, 13 points off the play-off spots.
City now find themselves 15th in the Championship just seven points off the relegation zone having won just two of their last 12 games.
Assistant manager Keith Millen is in the hot seat for Saturday's visit of league leaders Newcastle as the search for a new permanent boss starts.
Johnson himself is already on the look out for a new job.
"You're open to offers, which is why I'm suited and booted and I am looking forward to the next challenge," he said.
"If something comes up you've got to be available for it if it's something you want to do."
Comment