Image Credits: Imago Images
Bristol City’s season has been drifting towards another forgettable finish, with a talented squad stuck in the bottom half and murmurs of discontent growing ever louder at Ashton Gate.
Results since Christmas have been particularly damaging, and the sense inside the club is that this group needs a short, sharp shock rather than another long‑term project.
The Robins are currently 16th in the Championship table and have now made the decision to sack Gerhard Struber.
As a result, Bristol City have confirmed the shock appointment of former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson as their new boss, with the 78‑year‑old making a surprise return to the dugout in the Championship.
The veteran coach replaces Struber, who has left Ashton Gate after a poor run of form that saw the Robins win just one of their last nine games.
Hodgson arrives on what the club have described as an interim deal until the end of the season, tasked with steadying the side over the final seven league fixtures while a long‑term sporting structure is put in place.
City Chief Executive Officer 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.”
“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.”
It marks a remarkable second spell with Bristol City for the former England boss, who briefly managed the club back in 1982. Meanwhile, there are also other former players making their mark further down the English football pyramid.
Former Reds striker Andy Carroll was named interim manager of National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this month, and even got off to a winning start in his first game.
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