dogfight until the penultimate game of the season, eventually finishing three points above the relegation zone in seventeenth place, a minor improvement on their previous season's finish. Despite some fans demanding Johnson be dismissed, he remained as City manager ahead of the 2017–18 season, and brought in right-back Eros Pisano and Senegalese striker Famara Diedhiou to boost their hopes of success, the latter signing for a club record transfer fee of £5.3 million. In October 2017, Johnson received manager of the month award for September, after guiding City to an undefeated streak of six games, scoring thirteen goals across that month. Later that month, as part of an interview for the BBC Points West programme, Johnson described his past of receiving death threats across the previous season, after completing the signing of Bristol Rovers striker Matty Taylor, also revealing how he was forced to move home, following the aftermath of his family's home address being publicised online. In the 2017–18 season, Johnson led the club to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, defeating several Premier League clubs in the lead up, notably defeating José Mourinho's Manchester United. During the semi-finals, Bristol City exited the competition after a 3–5 aggregate defeat to eventual champions Manchester City, a game in which saw opposition manager Pep Guardiola praise Johnson for his side's style of play. City ended the season in eleventh place in the Championship, eight points adrift from play-off qualification. In their following league campaign, Johnson's side finished the season in eighth place, their best league finish since the 2007–08 season, despite maintaining fifth position towards the closing stages of the season. On 23 May 2019, Johnson signed a new four-year contract with Bristol City, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023. That October, he was charged with misconduct by the FA as a response to alleged language towards a match official. He received a £2,000 fine and a one-match ban. Following a run of four consecutive defeats, on 4 July 2020, Johnson was dismissed as head coach of Bristol City. Having been appointed in February 2016, he was the longest-serving manager in the Championship prior to his departure. Sunderland On 5 December 2020, Johnson was appointed the new head coach of Sunderland following the departure of Phil Parkinson. He signed a two and a half year deal with the club. Despite only being announced that morning, his first