Bristol City have reportedly got a contingency plan in place in case manager Lee Johnson leaves the club.

Johnson was linked to managerial jobs at Brighton, West Bromwich Albion, and Fulham by the Daily Star on Sunday (05/05) via the Bristol Post, back in May, and is understood to have been considered by Watford when Javi Gracia was sacked.

The Bristol Post have revealed that a plan is in place at Ashton Gate in case Johnson is poached by another club.

Under-23s boss Luke Williams is understood to be on a rolling one year contract, which includes a clause requiring him to give one year of notice if he wants to leave.

The clause means Williams looks set to keep his role for a while and would be ready to replace Johnson, either temporarily or long-term, if he left.

Dean Holden and Jamie McAllister, City’s two assistant managers, are also thought to be in contention to step up if they did not leave with Johnson.

With that in mind, we have identified three advantages of having such a plan in place.

It means they’re prepared.

As Lincoln City have just found out, a manager can leave at any time in modern football.

Having this plan in place means that should Johnson depart the club at any point during the season or over the summer, there is a coach ready to step up and lead the Robins – whether that be temporarily while a new manager is found or permanently as a long-term option.

The fact that Holden, McAllister, and Williams could all step up means City are well prepared.

It helps them avoid any panic hires.

With the plan in place, the club’s hierarchy know that a coach they trust will be leading the side if Johnson were to leave.

That would allow the City hierarchy to take their time in deciding who should be the next manager, rather than being forced to make a quick decision or a panic hire.

It allows them to bring in the right replacement to fit their system.

Speaking to the One Stream in Bristol fan podcast, Chairman Jon Lansdown explained that the club have found their philosophy and that any new manager would have to fit into that and be a “particular type of coach”.

The contingency plan allows them the time to ensure that they can find just that, as well as giving them the option of hiring internally.