Phillips sends ‘derail’ warning to Johnson after Sunderland announcement
Kevin Phillips insists Sunderland boss Lee Johnson is fully deserving of the League One Manager of the Month award.
The Black Cats legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, reacted as the announcement was made on Friday.
Johnson beat off competition from Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth and Leam Richardson of Wigan.
Sunderland sat at the top of League One as Johnson was nominated for the award.
The Black Cats had won four of their opening five games as they look to get promoted at the fourth time of asking.
Phillips insists Johnson can’t let the praise go to his head after doing such a good job in the early days of the new season.
“It happens when you are top of the league,” Phillips told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“You need to get recognised for that. I’ve seen it so many times when someone wins that award and then they lose the next few games.
“I’m sure this won’t derail their season or anything but don’t let it go to your head and just keep going, ignore it.
“It’s part and parcel of the game these days but Lee has done a really good job.
“It’s only early but Sunderland need to keep this going,”
Johnson has been in charge of Sunderland since December 2020 and led the club to the League One play-offs last season.
They were beaten over two legs by play-off final losers Lincoln City.
In other news, Phillips: Johnson handed ‘big boost’ by Sunderland after Hume news