'Smart move!' - Sunderland and Bristol City fans respond over fresh Lee Johnson update

Former Bristol City manager Lee Johnson is closing in on a return to football management with Sunderland.

The 39-year-old has been among the favourites for the job at the Stadium of Light, following the departure of Phil Parkinson, who was sacked by the Black Cats on Sunday.

Danny Cowley has also been among the frontrunners for the position, but it is now being reported that Johnson is in advanced talks with Sunderland over becoming the club's new head coach.

Sky Sports have reported that Johnson has been in the north east for talks with the Sunderland hierarchy, with an appointment likely over the next 24 to 48 hours, after the League One club confirmed the arrival of former Birmingham City academy manager Kristjaan Speakman as the club's new sporting director.

Johnson is now the odds-on favourite to succeed Parkinson on Wearside, and if so, it will be his first job in management since leaving Bristol City at the end of last season.

Here's what Sunderland and Bristol City fans have been saying about the potential appointment of Johnson.

Johnson spent more than four years as Bristol City head coach, having been appointed by the Robins in February 2016.

During his time at Ashton Gate, Johnson guided the club to safety after taking charge with Bristol City facing the threat of relegation, while he also led the club to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup in 2017-18.

Johnson also led the Robins to an eighth-placed finish the following season in the Championship, just missing out on the play-offs, but he left the club in July following a run of four defeats in a row.