Roy Hodgson will be making a sensational return to management this season after landing the role of Bristol City caretaker manager.
The 78-year-old returns to the club he previously managed in 1982 following the dismissal of Gerhard Struber.
Struber was axed after just one win in nine matches across all competitions, with the Robins slipping to 16th in the Championship table.
Bristol City have released a statement elaborating on his appointment.
“We can announce that Gerhard Struber has been relieved of his duties as Bristol City Head Coach,” they said.
“Roy Hodgson will take charge of the Men’s First Team until the end of the season, while the club will task the incoming Sporting Director with appointing a permanent Head Coach for the 2026/27 campaign.
“The club’s recent performances have not met expectations and therefore Struber and Assistant Head Coach Bernd Eibler will leave with immediate effect.”
Roy Hodgson is back in football
|
GETTY
City Chief Executive Officer Charlie Boss reacted by saying: “I would like to thank Gerhard and, Bernd for their hard work over the past nine months and we wish them all the best.
“Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games.
“Over the remainder of the season he will help us set the standards and values at the club that we we will need to be successful going forwards.
Gerhard Struber has been relieved of his duties by Bristol City
|
GETTY
“Roy is a vastly experienced coach who has achieved at the highest level and he will support me, our players and our football staff as we build towards being ready for the Premier League.
“We are in the process of appointing a Sporting Director who will have a direct input into the recruitment of a new permanent Head Coach.”
The Robins have also confirmed that Brian Tinnion’s role will be changing.
They added: “Alongside Hodgson’s appointment, Brian Tinnion has been relieved of his First Team responsibilities.
“He will now focus on the Academy Pathway ahead of the new Sporting Director conducting a full review of the club’s football operations.”
Hodgson’s last role in football before returning to Bristol City was with Crystal Palace, where he concluded a second definitive stint at Selhurst Park in February 2024.
Roy Hodgson is an iconic football manager
| GETTY
Tasked with steering his boyhood club away from the relegation zone, the veteran stabiliSed the South London side before stepping down to prioritiSe his health and a well-earned retirement.
This followed a brief, challenging tenure at Watford in 2022, which saw him return to the Premier League dugout after an initial departure from Palace in 2021.
Tracing his career further back, Hodgson’s leadership of the England national team from 2012 to 2016 remains a focal point, encompassing three major tournaments.
Prior to the international stage, he rebuilt his reputation at West Bromwich Albion following a difficult, short-lived period at Liverpool.
Perhaps his most celebrated achievement remains the 2010 Europa League final with Fulham, a journey that began with a miraculous “Great Escape” from relegation in 2008.
