Former Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has revealed that he has had interviews with clubs in France and Japan since leaving Fleetwood Town in 2023.

Johnson, who spent time at Ashton Gate as a player, managed the Robins between 2016 and 2020. Although he never managed to secure that elusive top-six finish as City boss, he helped the Reds challenge for the play-off places and lead the club's impressive run to the Carabao Cup semi-final.

After departing the West Country, the 43-year-old has enjoyed spells in charge of Sunderland, Hibernian and Fleetwood Town, but has been without a club since leaving Highbury in December 2023.

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But the former City boss has attempted to get back into the world of football, admitting that he has thrown his hat in the ring for unique jobs overseas despite recognising the potential challenges a language barrier could pose.

"I'm a good example of that because, at this moment in time, I've had interviews with foreign clubs," the former Reds boss told The Sports Agents podcast when asked if English coaches should learn different languages. "One you wouldn't expect me to learn because it was in Japan. That would be tough, but it is a factor because you obviously have to go with an interpreter and find a coach you can connect with who speaks both languages and that could be difficult to articulate your point.

"Another one was in France and I have GCSE French, grade C. I think in my head that I could cope and compete but at the same time, Spanish is probably the one where in the MLS it's a must, it's a pre-requisite that you're able to speak English and Spanish.

"So you've got to decide what language to learn and also be football fluent in it because there's no universal terminology in football. Every coach has got different terminology for different actions and you've then got to translate that into French, Spanish or whatever that may be as well. It's a really good point and I should do it, I use myself as an example, but which one do I do? Do I continue on the path of French, or do I move to Spanish that probably opens up more of the world than French does?"

Johnson is still a young head coach, despite being in the 12th year of his managerial career, the 43-year-old recognises that he needs to be careful when picking his next job to ensure that he isn't finished in the industry.

Though he has been in the running for several vacant positions in the last year, the former Bristol City manager has made sure to do his research on each and every club he has spoken to, to ensure that he aligned with their beliefs and values before taking over in the dugout.

"It is really, really tough that. I've probably been in six, or seven interview-style processes these last six months," explained the ex-Sunderland boss. "A couple I've really wanted, I haven't got. A couple, I've gone through the process and not wanted on the back of it.

"Doing that deep dive is really important, that data element, where are you going to be, what are you going to be able to do, can you maximise it, not too be delusional to look at it from a helicopter type of view. What are the areas you can add value, but have you got the influence to add value? Is it recruitment, because it's sometimes not now, it's just get on the grass and coach.

"Do I as a coach now move to maybe the German FA or the Spanish FA to look at something different, to learn something different? Or do I stick within the system to try and develop and trust it?"

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