Gary Johnson has left Bristol City by mutual consent following a disappointing run of form. The club have registered just two wins in their last 12 Championship games and are seven points above the relegation zone.

The 54-year-old took charge at Ashton Gate in 2005 and won promotion to the Championship two years later before taking them to within 90 minutes of a place in the Premier League. However, their dreams were ended by a 1-0 play-off final defeat to Hull at Wembley.

Johnson said: "I'd like to thank the chairman for his continual support throughout the last four and a half years and congratulate him on taking the club to the level it currently enjoys. I thank the majority of the club's fans for their tremendous support during my time with the club.

"I thank the players and staff for their continued efforts in getting this club from what was a position at the bottom of League One when I joined, to promotion to the Championship, to the play-off final for a place in the Premier League and then to compete in the Championship thereafter. I leave Bristol City with fond memories but feel the time is right to move on to a new challenge."

Johnson presided over 239 games, winning 96, drawing 69 and losing 74, the last of which came courtesy of their last-gasp 3-2 win at relegation-threatened Plymouth on Tuesday night.

Bristol City's chairman, Steve 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 at the club. Winning promotion from League One and reaching the Championship play-off final will always live long in the memory for myself and I'm sure for our supporters as well.

"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's assistant, Keith Millen, will take charge of Saturday's visit of Newcastle.