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Page last updated at 13:03 GMT, Tuesday, 6 April 2010 14:03 UK

Gary Johnson appointed new Peterborough United boss

Gary Johnson
Johnson is the fourth man to be in charge at London Road this season

Peterborough United have appointed former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson as their new manager and handed him a two-year contract.

The Championship side, who were relegated on Monday, have been looking for a new boss since Jim Gannon turned down a new long-term deal last month.

"The first aim of myself and the club is to get back to the Championship," Johnson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"The second aim is to consolidate and compete at that level."

Johnson is Posh's fourth manager this season, following Darren Ferguson and Mark Cooper and Gannon.

Former Cambridge and Latvia boss Johnson had only been out of work for three weeks after leaving the Robins by mutual consent last month after almost five years in charge.

He led them to promotion from League One to the Championship play-off final, which they lost to Hull, but he raised expectations at Ashton Gate and they are in mid-table this season.

"Once Jim Gannon decided he wasn't going to stay [director of football] Barry [Fry] wouldn't leave me alone," Johnson continued.

"Barry convinced me to go out to Orlando and meet the chairman and so I went and was really impressed with the ambition and the drive of Barry Fry and the chairman.

"When you talk to the chairman he always says 'when we get promoted', but I'm a little more realistic and say 'if we get promoted'."

Peterborough's relegation was confirmed following their 2-2 draw with Barnsley.

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Ferguson left by mutual consent in November, with the club bottom of the Championship after leading them to back-to-back promotions.

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony then appointed Kettering boss Mark Cooper, but sacked him after just 13 games in charge.

Gannon was appointed in February as their third manager of the season on a contract until the summer.

Peterborough's form picked up under the Irishman, winning four of his 13 games in charge, but he turned down a permanent job for family reasons.

Barnsley 2-2 Peterborough

Barnsley 2-2 Peterborough: Gannon's final game in charge condemns Posh to the drop (UK users only)



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