Wayne Rooney makes surprising Roy Hodgson revelation after Bristol City appointment | OneFootball

Wayne Rooney has revealed his thoughts on Bristol City manager Roy Hodgson, having been his captain for England from 2012-2016...

Bristol City boss Roy Hodgson managed a number of football teams in his long career as a coach, including England and Wayne Rooney from 2012 until 2016.

Now embarking on a second stint with Bristol City, it's been revealed Hodgson has smashed records to return to football management with the Robins. It's his first role since leaving Crystal Palace in February 2024.

Hodgson may well be at the end of his managerial career at the age of 78, but Wayne Rooney has only taken his first steps into coaching over the last few seasons. He has managed Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle since 2020.

Rooney captained Manchester United at the back end of his career at Old Trafford but also England for four years. Following Steven Gerrard's international retirement after the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Hodgson named Rooney as England's new captain in August 2014.

Given the managers and coaches Rooney has worked with, and the fact he was a leadership figure in most dressing rooms he was in, it's no great surprise to see him move into management. Hodgson and Sir Alex Ferguson will have undoubtedly impacted him greatly.

Wayne Rooney praises Bristol City manager Roy Hodgson after England career

Rooney’s managerial outlook possibly reflects the diverse influences of the elite coaches he played under. At Everton, David Moyes instilled the importance of discipline and work ethic. At Manchester United, Ferguson shaped his winning mentality and adaptability.

But then greats like Louis van Gaal emphasised structure and possession, while Jose Mourinho brought an added layer of tactical pragmatism. Later, the likes of Hodgson, Sam Allardyce, and Ronald Koeman further strings to his bow. While, also with England, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello will have influenced him.

These combined experiences should shape Rooney’s balanced and adaptable managerial approach over the coming years. It turns out, in something of a surprising admission given the names listed, Hodgson has been one of his favourite coaches in his career, and his best with England. Rooney has revealed to the BBC how he feels about the Bristol City boss.

He said: "My best period, from an individual basis with England, was under Roy. I thought he'd be quiet and then it might have been the first game or a half-time where he snapped and it took me back a little bit.

"But my favourite period of playing for England was under Roy and I think because we had a trust as well with each other."

Rooney also reflected on Hodgson's exit after the Euro 2016 loss to Iceland, adding: "I remember seeing the disappointment in Roy and I think we knew then that that was going to be the end of him.

"I was also starting to think potentially this is the end of my own career as well. I think that moment in that dressing room after the game was the worst I've ever felt."

Why Roy Hodgson actually makes sense as caretaker of Bristol City

The more you look at it, the more appointing Hodgson as a caretaker after Gerhard Struber makes clear strategic sense for Bristol City. Hodgson brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and at least a degree of stability. This is exactly what a club needs in the short-term after a managerial change.

With so few games remaining, crucially, Bristol City are not in relegation danger, which removes any panic or urgency and allows the club to avoid rushing into a long-term appointment. By installing a steady, low-risk figure like Hodgson, the club can ride out the remainder of the season while conducting a more thorough search.

The summer market will naturally provide a wider pool of available and attainable managers, including those leaving clubs or finishing contracts. That increases the chances of finding a candidate who better fits the club’s long-term vision and structure.

In this context, Hodgson acts as a safe pair of hands, buying time for smarter decision-making rather than forcing a compromise hire when there is so little left of the season. It's an important one to get right over the summer.