Championship side Bristol City have appointed veteran coach Roy Hodgson as caretaker manager following the dismissal of head coach Gerhard Struber.
Hodgson, 78, returns to the club he briefly managed in 1982, marking a comeback to the dugout after stepping away from football in 2024 following his exit from Crystal Palace.
Struber’s departure follows a poor run of results, with just one win in nine matches across all competitions, leaving Bristol City 16th in the EFL Championship standings. The club had earlier been in contention for a play-off place but has since fallen 12 points behind the top six.
In a statement, the club confirmed that Struber and his assistant, Bernd Eibler, had left their roles with immediate effect due to disappointing performances. Struber, who took charge last summer after Liam Manning moved to Norwich City, struggled to maintain consistency amid squad changes and injury setbacks.
The January transfer window saw key players such as Zak Vyner and Anis Mehmeti depart, while defensive injuries further disrupted the team’s form.
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Club chief executive Charlie Boss said Hodgson’s appointment is intended to restore discipline and provide experienced leadership for the remainder of the season.
Hodgson brings decades of managerial experience, having coached top clubs including Inter Milan, Liverpool FC, and Fulham FC, as well as the England national football team. He notably guided Fulham to the UEFA Europa League final in 2010.
His first match in charge is expected to be an away fixture against Charlton Athletic on Good Friday.
As part of a broader restructuring, the club has also reassigned technical director Brian Tinnion from first-team duties to focus on academy development, while the search for a new sporting director and permanent head coach gets underway.
The managerial change signals a fresh attempt by Bristol City to stabilise results and revive their competitiveness in the Championship.
