Back on the bench. '78-year-old' Roy Hodgson (78) has returned to the field.
Bristol City announced on the 27th (Korea time) via the club's official channel that it had sacked manager Gerhard Struber and appointed Roy Hodgson as interim head coach.
Hodgson will lead the first team until the end of the season. The club is simultaneously working on appointing a new sporting director, and the selection of the next permanent manager will be led by that person.
Hodgson returns about a year after leaving Crystal Palace in February 2024. His role is clear: manage the remaining seven matches. Bristol City currently sits 16th in the Championship.
The return itself is unusual. Seventy-eight years old. Beyond the late stage of a coaching career. Even so, he has stood on the touchline again. There is a connection: Hodgson's coaching career in England began at Bristol City in 1982. It is a return after more than 40 years.
Experience needs no explanation. He began his coaching career in 1976 at Halmstads BK and has managed 17 clubs and four national teams. He also served as manager of the England national team.
Hodgson said, "I had a good conversation with the club, and I'm looking forward to helping the team until the end of the season. I'll get ready immediately."
The reason for the sacking was results. Struber managed only one win in his last nine matches. The form dropped sharply. In the FA Cup they were eliminated by Port Vale, the bottom team of League One. The last match was a defeat to West Brom.
There were also internal conflicts within the club. Struber expressed dissatisfaction that key players Anis Mehmeti and Jack Byner transferred to Ipswich and Wrexham respectively during the winter transfer window. The departures outweighed the reinforcements.
Bristol City expects more than just a simple 'interim manager.' Charlie Boss, chief executive officer, explained, "The appointment of Hodgson is not simply a decision for the results of the remaining seven matches. He will play an important role in setting the team's standards and culture."
Hodgson said, "I had a good conversation with the club, and I'm looking forward to helping the team until the end of the season," and "I'll get ready immediately and show good performances."
The club is also carrying out a structural overhaul. Brian Tinnion, technical director, will step away from first-team duties to concentrate on the youth system. The club is also working on appointing a new sporting director.
Hodgson will take charge of the team until the end of the season. A new managerial structure will be put in place afterwards.
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