"The most excited I've ever been" - Big Bristol City claim made on Gerhard Struber | OneFootball

The Robins are on course to reveal Austrian coach Gerhard Struber as their next 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...

Bristol City are reportedly close to appointing former Koln, Red Bull Salzburg and Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber.

That’s according to The Telegraph’s John Percy, who revealed that the Austrian coach impressed in talks with the club.

He went on to confirm that Struber will be officially announced this week.

We asked our Robins Fan Pundit, Tom Sandy, what he makes of the appointment.

Struber arrives with an attractive CV

Speaking to Football League World, Tom said: “Obviously, the rumblings at the moment are that it's looking like Gerhard Struber is going to be appointed the next Bristol City manager.

“Formerly of Koln, and a couple of Red Bull teams as well as Barnsley, where he's probably most well-known from, especially in England. And that's probably because, as well, that was his most successful time as a manager.

“I think there's a lot to be excited about. This is actually the most excited I've ever been with a Bristol City appointment, just because I think he's a manager who can really help us push on, and I think it's the first time I've felt like that about one of our managers.”

Despite his perceived reputation in England, Struber is coming off the back of a difficult time with Koln.

The German side looked to be stuttering towards the end of the season with promotion still in their grasp, and took the cut-throat decision to sack Struber, a decision the Austrian said “really hurts”, to allow themselves the best chance to earn promotion.

They eventually finish top of the table, without Struber at the helm, but this isn’t a scenario that concerns Tom, especially given the work he did with Barnsley.

“Obviously, he's had a rather tumultuous time recently with Koln,” the Robins fan continued. “They actually won the 2. Bundesliga title, but without him there, after he was sacked with a few games left of the season.

“They had a big shift there, I think they lost their sporting director too.

“I think there was more going on behind the scenes, perhaps, than just his performances. And he got them in that position.

“He had a rather successful time at Red Bull, I believe. Although nothing groundbreaking. And Barnsley, of course, probably the crowning moment of his career, saving Barnsley from relegation during the Covid-hit season.

“I think that's what's most exciting, is the fact that he's done it in England and he did really, really well, saving them from the position that they were in, and I think he left them in a good position after that, too.”

Struber’s football may suit Ashton Gate more than Manning's

Struber will be arriving at Ashton Gate to replace Liam Manning, who departed to fill the vacancy at Norwich City.

Manning once described his style of play to The Athletic as “extreme” in terms of possession, playing out from the back and pressing.

It’s certainly the modern approach, but not one Tom feels chimes completely with the preference of Robins’ fans.

Tom said: “Yeah, really exciting times. I think he [Struber] plays really attractive football, and football the fans at Bristol City have been crying out for.

“I don't think we were particularly flattered with Manning's style.

“He has quite a modern-coach approach; very progressive, slow around the back, but a lot of Bristol City fans aren't actually very favourable of that style of play, and so a lot of people were disappointed when Pearson left.”

While it’s hard to argue with the results Manning got, achieving an unlikely spot in the play-offs, it doesn’t necessarily make a manager easy to get behind if his style jars with fans.

“It’ll be interesting to see sort of what direction Struber goes in,” Tom continued. “But I think that he will please a lot of fans, especially because he's also quite an emotional coach compared to Manning, and he's more likely to resonate with the fans more and give his opinions more.

“It's that human side that we’ll quite look forward to at Bristol City because there's a reason we love Nigel Pearson. There's a reason we love Steve Cotterill.

“They were managers just like that, and I think that he will, hopefully, leave quite a good legacy here, if he has a successful time as manager.”

Struber may start on a better footing than Manning

With proven promotion winners like Rob Edwards out of a job, and magic workers like Danny Rohl actively hunting for a new gig, you could forgive some for feeling somewhat underwhelmed by Struber, who has a greater reputation on the continent than he does in England.

But, nevertheless, our Fan Pundit believes Struber may be starting from a stronger position than Manning did, the latter still managing to reach the play-offs despite some grumbles when he came in.

Tom continued: “There were also reservations about Manning when he came in due to the nature of how he left Oxford.

“It never really sits right with me when a manager leaves a club who he's got to second in the table, to join a club in the division above, who were mid-table.

“We’ve probably got a slightly greater project, but not finishing what you've done there, I feel like it's not a great look for a manager. Obviously, they still got promoted anyway, credit to Oxford.

“But yeah, the way he left them never really flattered me. The way he's left us, I think is more understandable. I think Norwich is a bigger club than Bristol City. I think it's a good opportunity for him.

“So, I wish him the best. Obviously, I don't want to do too well.

“But yeah, the way he came in, my perception of that move compared to this one, I think, is a lot different.

“I'm a lot more excited for Struber than I was for Manning, and obviously we had a great season last season.”

Tom is not expecting Struber to immediately reach the same heights as Manning, but the latter’s incredible season will no doubt put considerable pressure on the new man.

“I don't think we can perform that well this season, to be honest,” Tom admits. “I think we're very impressive and we can put together another run towards the play-offs.

“But it's exciting times, and I wish him the best. He would have been my number one choice. I would have rather had him than Edwards.

“Hopefully, we can back him in the transfer window. Looks like we could be getting in a couple of players: [Adam] Randell from Plymouth, being one of them, [Emil] Riis maybe, the Preston striker. So, yeah, very excited to see what happens.”