Roy Hodgson makes unexpected return to management at the age of 78

Former England and Liverpool head coach Roy Hodgson has been appointed interim head coach of a Championship club at the age of 78.

Hodgson, who has previously managed several other clubs, including Inter, Fulham and, most recently, Crystal Palace, will take charge of Bristol City until the end of the current campaign.

Gerhard Struber has been relieved of his duties, with the club sitting 16th in the Championship. Struber leaves with a record of 16 wins, nine draws and 17 defeats from his 42 matches in charge of the Robins.

According to the club’s official website, Hodgson will begin working with the squad on 30 March before taking charge of the side for their trip to Charlton on 3 April.

Speaking to club media, Hodgson 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.”

Roy Hodgson has returned to management (Credit:Getty)

The 78-year-old has not managed since departing Crystal Palace in 2024. Hodgson previously took charge of Bristol City back in 1982.

Also speaking to club media, Bristol 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 forward.

“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.”

Assistant head coach Bernd Eibler has also departed following Struber’s exit.

Roy Hodgson career history

In total, Hodgson has managed over 20 club and national teams, with all of his roles listed below:

Halmstads BK

Bristol City

IK Oddevold

Örebro SK

Malmö FF

Neuchâtel Xamax

Switzerland

Inter Milan

Blackburn Rovers

Inter Milan (caretaker)

Grasshopper Club Zürich

FC Copenhagen

Udinese

United Arab Emirates

Viking FK

Finland

Fulham

Liverpool

West Bromwich Albion

England

England U21 (caretaker)

Crystal Palace

Watford

Crystal Palace