Jim Gannon gives Gary Johnson backing as next Posh boss

Four of Posh's seven wins this season have come with Jim Gannon in charge

Peterborough United boss Jim Gannon is tipping Gary Johnson as the ideal man to replace him when he leaves London Road at the end of the season.

Former Cambridge, Yeovil and Bristol City boss Johnson was there at London Road on Saturday evening to watch Posh lose 3-2 at home to Newcastle United.

"Gary Johnson's CV speaks for itself in what he did at Bristol," said Gannon.

"I think it would be a great move for the club," the soon-to-depart Gannon told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Should Posh complete a deal to sign Johnson before the end of the current campaign, Gannon has revealed that he is even prepared to leave London Road earlier than planned.

"I think if a new manager is appointed then the only right thing is for me to step aside and hand over the players to the new manager and let him work with them before the end of the season," added Gannon.

Gannon, who was only appointed as Mark Cooper's replacement in February, has decided not to continue as Posh boss after the end of the season. But he has been helping club officials to recruit his replacement.

Johnson, who won promotion with Bristol City to the Championship, has been the bookies favourite to succeed Gannon since the former Stockport chief announced he would be quitting the club at the end of the campaign.

Posh are in danger of having their relegation back to League One confirmed on Monday if they fail to win at Barnsley.