Gary Johnson: Torquay United manager leaves role after administration

Gary Johnson's side has won just one of their last 12 matches in National League South

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has left his role after the club announced it had gone into administration.

The 68-year-old had been in charge at Plainmoor since September 2018.

He led them to the 2019 National League South title and helped the Gulls reach the National League promotion final in 2021, when they missed out on promotion to League Two on penalties.

The Gulls were relegated back to the sixth tier in May and went into administration on Thursday.

"After discussions today with the football club, we have mutually agreed that I should leave Torquay United with immediate effect," Johnson said in a statement on the club website.

"I have enjoyed most of my five-and-a-half year tenure, but given the current situation, both parties agreed to part ways.

"I thank the players, the football staff, the office staff, as well as the chairman and directors for their support over this time.

"I wish the club all the best for the future."

Johnson's assistant Aaron Downes will take charge of the side on an interim basis, with the club due to host Aveley at Plainmoor in the league on Saturday.

Former Bristol City, Yeovil Town and Cheltenham Town manager Johnson had been under pressure after a run of poor results.

One win in 12 matches - including five successive defeats - had left the Gulls in 11th place in the table and seven points off the play-off places.

Going into administration will see the club docked 10 points and drop to 18th place, four points above the relegation zone.

Johnson saw his side lose a dramatic National League promotion final on penalties to Hartlepool United in June 2021

Johnson's exit ends a difficult day at the former English Football League side after owner Clarke Osborne brought in administrators and said he did not have the finances to continue to fund the club.

The highlight of Johnson's time in charge was the 2020-21 season where the Gulls narrowly missed out on promotion back to the English Football League after relegation from League Two in 2014.

Having led the National League for large parts of the season, four draws in their final four games saw Torquay finish second behind Sutton United.

A 4-2 win over Notts County in the play-off semi-finals led to a final against Hartlepool at Bristol City's Ashton Gate.

His side were beaten 5-4 on penalties in a dramatic final which saw Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan head a stoppage time equaliser to take the game to extra time having had two goals controversially disallowed in normal time.

Analysis

Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport

This is one of those days that will go down in history at Torquay United, but sadly for all the wrong reasons.

A club that had been a stalwart in the lower two divisions of the English Football League for 85 years has reached its nadir.

While many fans will not mourn the loss of Johnson - results have been poor and a body of supporters felt it was time for a change - the circumstances of his departure could not be worse.

With the administrators at Plainmoor and costs being cut, any uncertainty in the dugout only adds to the worry over the future of this club that has fallen on the hardest times in its history.

Who, if anyone, will be willing to take charge of the side going forward with the current off-field uncertainty? And what, if any budget, will they have to use?

The tough times have started at Plainmoor, but they may well get worse before they get better.