Johnson's departure came as 'surprise' - Flynn

Gary Johnson's departure as director of football of Cheltenham Town came as a "surprise", manager Michael Flynn has said.

The 69-year-old resigned on 17 September after 16 months in the role.

The club are currently bottom of the League Two table with one win in eight games so far this season.

"It comes as a bit of a surprise to be honest," Flynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"I wish Gary all the best, I've spoken to him, thanked him for bringing me here and I'm sure he'll be looking for the next challenge or maybe taking a big step back and relaxing and enjoying his senior years."

Johnson was appointed shortly after the club's relegation to the fourth tier in May 2024 and was involved in the hiring of Flynn following the departure of Darrell Clarke.

Yet while the Robins finished 15th last season they have struggled so far in 2025-26, scoring three goals - the lowest in the division - and conceding 14 in their eight matches.

Flynn said he was unsure about a replacement for Johnson yet, with the club now under the ownership of Mike Garlick.

"He's done some good things at the football club," Flynn added.

"It's going to go one of two ways - a new beginning, Gary's left, we move on, somebody new will come in, let's go forward with positivity.

"Or it could be just the same old and it could be a negative thing which I really don't want."

Flynn cited former Cheltenham manager Michael Duff - who led the club to League One in 2021 - and his relationship with his director of football Micky Moore as a blueprint to follow.

"Someone who needs to know football and has an idea of how it should work, you work closely with the manager, don't try to undermine the manager and vice-versa the manager takes on board what the sporting director says," said Flynn.

"You've got to be together, there's got to be unity and when that happens you get success."