Nigel Pearson has paid tribute to fans of his former clubs after a managerial career that started at Carlisle United reaches a major milestone.

Pearson, recently appointed Bristol City boss, will take charge of his 500th game as a manager tomorrow.

The Robins' Championship home game against QPR sees Pearson, 57, reach the landmark some 22 years after he started out in management at Brunton Park.

He was appointed midway through the 1998/9 season by the Blues - a campaign which famously ended with Jimmy Glass's goal against Plymouth which saw United avoid relegation.

News and Star: Nigel Pearson pictured during his first season as a manager - at Carlisle in 1998/9Nigel Pearson pictured during his first season as a manager - at Carlisle in 1998/9

Pearson left the Blues at the end of that campaign and has since managed Southampton, Leicester, Hull, Derby, OH Leuven and Watford, as well as caretaker spells at West Brom and Newcastle.

In that time he has won the Championship and League One titles, one Championship manager of the year and seven manager of the month awards.

Posting on Twitter, Pearson said: "I'm informed that Saturday will be my 500th game as a manager.

"I'd like to say a sincere thank you to the players, staff and of course the supporters of all those clubs. Cheers, Nige."

Pearson's recent move to Ashton Gate has seen him team up with another ex-Blues boss in Paul Simpson.

The Cumbrian, who led Carlisle to successive promotions in 2004/5 and 2005/6, had been joint caretaker boss along with Keith Downing following Dean Holden's recent dismissal.

Simpson, who was brought in by Holden last summer, is remaining at the club as part of Pearson's new set-up.

Simpson and Downing guided the Robins to a 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough as the newly-appointed Pearson watched from the stand - ex-United forward Nakhi Wells among the scorers.

They have since won 3-1 at Swansea and lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth since Pearson has taken the helm.