Football / Bristol City
78-year-old Hodgson comes out of retirement to join Bristol City
After announcing the sacking of Gerhard Struber, former England manager Roy Hodgson was revealed to be coming out of retirement to become Bristol City’s interim head coach until the end of the season.
It is a return to BS3 for Hodgson, who previously managed City for four months from January to April 1982.
A club statement said the men’s first team’s recent performances “have not met expectations”.
Struber and assistant head coach Bernd Eibler, who were appointed in June 2025, have both departed Ashton Gate with immediate effect with the Robins sitting 16th in the Championship table.
City CEO, Charlie Boss, said: “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 will need to be successful going forwards.
“Roy is a vastly experienced coach who has achieved and won at the highest level.
“He will support me, our players and our football staff as we build towards achieving our potential.”
Boss said that City are in the process of appointing a sporting director “who will have a direct input into the recruitment of a new permanent head coach”.
Due to the international break, Hodgson will not meet first team players and staff until Monday ahead of an away match against Charlton Athletic on April 3.
As part of the restructuring, Brian Tinnion has been relieved of his first team responsibilities and will now focus on the club’s academy pathway.
Hodgson, 78, whose most recent spell in management was with Crystal Palace in the Premier League in 2024, said: “I have had great conversations with the board and I am really excited by the opportunity to help until the end of the season.
“We will get straight to work and look for a positive performance on Good Friday.”
Main photo: Crystal Palace
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