2000. After a period when his international appearances were restricted by serious injury, Johnson made his 49th appearance for NI in the 3–0 World Cup Qualifying victory in San Marino on 11 February 2009, when he was the BBC's "Man of the Match". On 29 July 2010, Johnson announced his retirement from international football after making 56 appearances for the team. Coaching career Following his retirement from football, Johnson went into coaching, completing his coaching qualifications and gaining experience assisting at various clubs including Everton. Blackburn Rovers In April 2015, Johnson returned to Blackburn Rovers, the club at which he began his English career, as U14 academy coach. After three months he was appointed U21 lead coach, a post which was redesignated professional development phase lead coach when the development squad began to compete at under-23 level. In July 2019 he was promoted to first team technical coach & head of player development, a post he still held . Career statistics Club International Honours Blackburn Rovers Football League Cup: 2001–02 Huddersfield Town Football League One play-offs winner: 2011–12 Notes References External links Living people 1978 births Sportspeople from Lisburn Association footballers from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland international footballers Association football midfielders Portadown F.C. players Blackburn Rovers F.C. players Nottingham Forest F.C. players Birmingham City F.C. players Plymouth Argyle F.C. players Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players Fleetwood Town F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players Blackburn Rovers F.C. non-playing staff