Former Manchester City Star Michael Johnson to Open Restaurant

Michael Johnson was once one of the most promising young midfielders in English football. 

During the 2007/08 season, he started 23 games for Manchester City, signed a five-year contract and looked to be on the brink of an England call-up. 

However, weight and mental health problems saw him retire at the age of just 24.

Now 26, he is looking to get a new project off the ground. 

After a planning battle, Johnson has finally got permission to build a restaurant in Didsbury in South Manchester—with Michelin-starred chef Chris Horridge lined up. 

Johnson told the Manchester Evening News about the idea and why nearby residents should not be worried. 

"

I understand people will be worried but we are not going to be that type of place. We are not a nightclub. We’re doing high quality food - a pleasant place to be in a relaxing environment. I don’t want people to worry that there’s going to be any disturbance there because that’s not what we are about.

You can have a career in football and life moves on. You have to do something. This opportunity came up in these circumstances. It’s a great road in a great area. It wasn’t an opportunity you could pass by really. In football terms, that’s the period in my life that’s been and gone. I’m just moving on with other things.

"

[Manchester Evening News]