NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has been linked with another top job after Lee Johnson was sacked by Bristol City.

Johnson was sacked after last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City that ended the Robins' slim chances of sneaking into the Championship play-offs.

Flynn has been suggested as a possible contender for the top job at Ashton Gate with SkyBet even pricing him as favourite.

The former midfielder has developed a good working relationship with Bristol City to bring in George Nurse, Antoine Semenyo, Shawn McCoulsky, Cameron Pring and Tyreeq Bakinson on loan.

Since taking the reins at Rodney Parade in 2017, the 39-year-old spearheaded the Exiles' Great Escape from relegation to the National League, helped them boost the coffers with lucrative FA Cup giant-killing runs and led them to the 2019 League Two play-off final.

Those exploits have led to him being linked to a number of jobs but he has remained in charge of his hometown club.

South Wales Argus:

Flynn signed an "improved and extended" contract in October that runs until the summer of 2022 after he held talks with League One club Lincoln City.

He said at the time: "You're never going to stop rumours and if anybody links you do a club in a higher division, it is flattering. But I've got a very strong bond with this football club.

"I think everyone knows that this is a club close to my heart and, as much as it's flattering, I don't think it's fair that the speculation goes on all the time and I want to make it clear that I do intend to finish the job that I want to do."

"It doesn't always work out that way," he added. "You can be that successful that you get a Championship move or, if it goes downhill, you end up parting ways with a club.

"It works both ways, but I think that the stability that we've had over the past few years can really drive us on."

County have had to cut costs because of coronavirus crisis with Flynn unable to offer new contracts to key duo Scot Bennett and Jamille Matt.

Management consultant Lennie Lawrence, who he brought in for advice after landing the top job three years ago, has also left for a similar role at Stevenage Borough despite their relegation to the National League.

Other leading candidates put forward for the Bristol City job are Chris Hughton, Plymouth's Ryan Lowe, Aitor Karanka and Nigel Clough.

Newport's Tony Pulis, out of the game since leaving Middlesbrough last year, had been linked with a return to Bristol but Sky Sports report that the 62-year-old has told friends he needs more time away from the game before considering any return to management.