Roy Hodgson, 78, Returns to Football as Bristol City Manager
At 78, Roy Hodgson has returned to football to take temporary charge of Bristol City. He will manage the first team until the end of the season.
Appointment details
The club announced the change on March 27, 2026 via its official channels. Hodgson replaces Austrian Gerhard Struber, who has left with immediate effect.
Hodgson told Filmogaz.com he had constructive talks with the board. He said he was excited to help for the remainder of the campaign.
Coaching staff changes
Struber and assistant head coach Bernd Eibler departed following a club review. The statement cited recent results that fell short of expectations.
Chief executive Charlie Boss thanked both coaches for their efforts over nine months. He wished them well for the future.
Club situation and short-term targets
Bristol City sit 16th in the Championship. The team have gone six matches without a win.
The run includes an FA Cup loss to League One side Port Vale. The Robins travel to Charlton next Friday, on Good Friday, aiming for a positive performance.
Longer-term plans
The club said Hodgson’s remit extends beyond the final seven fixtures. He will help set standards and values for the squad and staff.
A new sporting director is being recruited. That director will have input into appointing the permanent head coach.
Hodgson’s managerial legacy
Hodgson’s first managerial role came at Halmstad in 1976. His career now spans almost five decades.
He had a brief spell with Bristol City in 1982 that lasted four months. He later managed Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom.
He also spent four years as England manager. His tenure ended at Euro 2016 after a last-16 defeat by Iceland.
- Appointment announced: March 27, 2026.
- Age of manager: 78.
- Current league position: 16th in the Championship.
- Recent run: six matches without a win.
- FA Cup exit: defeated by Port Vale.
