Bristol City backed to make big decision on ex-Barnsley boss | OneFootball

FLW's Bristol City fan pundit has been discussing the potential for Gerhard Struber to become the new Robins boss.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber is one of the final three contenders to become Bristol City's Liam Manning successor.

The Austrian is in the company of ex-Luton Town manager Rob Edwards and one other unnamed candidate in the three options that the Robins have narrowed down their search to find a successor to Manning, as per Bristol Live.

Struber's one spell in England saw him lead the Tykes while they were in the Championship. They only narrowly avoided relegation under the leadership of the now 48-year-old, with the club finishing fifth in the division and securing a play-off place in the second tier the following year under Valerien Ismael.

Since leaving Barnsley, Struber has worked in the Red Bull portfolio for New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg respectively.

He effectively led FC Koln to the 2. Bundesliga title this past season, after he was poached by them in July last year. However, he was sacked just two games before the end of the season.

Claim made on Gerhard Struber's potential Bristol City appointment

The brand of play that he would bring to Ashton Gate is what most intrigues Tom Rawle, our Bristol City fan pundit, about Struber.

"I'd be reasonably happy," said Rawle, on the prospect of appointing the Austrian boss.

"It'd be interesting to see how we go in terms of appointments from abroad. In recent memory, anyway, I don't believe anyone abroad since the 90s, so it'll be interesting to see if we go down that route.

"I don't know an awful lot about him other than being at Barnsley for a short period of time. I can't say that his is a name that I've followed abroad either.

"Just looking through his coaching profile, he seems like he likes to play attacking football, pressing football, and, something that does really interest me if he does come in for next season: he likes to play two up top.

"He seems to be the name on everyone's lips and, if he does come in, I wish him every success. There are certainly other managers around at the moment who I'd probably prefer us to look at.

"But if he's the man that the board chooses, then we'll get behind him."

Bristol City may be left without much of a choice in their managerial hunt

There's no guarantee that Struber will emerge as the Robins' preferred candidate for their managerial position, but they could be left in a state where they have no other choice but to bring him or the unnamed option in.

Their Championship rivals Middlesbrough also have Edwards in their top three, and, according to reports, he is in pole position to be appointed by the Teessiders.

If they come to a decision on Michael Carrick's replacement faster than City do for Manning's, the Ashton Gate hierarchy could foreseeably have their preferred candidate snatched away from them and have to resort to plan B or C.