Roy Hodgson, 78, takes charge of Championship club as return to management confirmed | OneFootball

Former England boss Roy Hodgson will make a return to management at the age of 78 after Championship club Bristol City confirmed they had appointed him as caretaker for their final seven games of the season.

Hodgson has been out of work since February 2024, when he resigned as Crystal Palace manager following a second spell with the Premier League side. He will replace Gerhard Struber, with the Austrian sacked following a six-game winless run that left the Robins 16th in the Championship table.

Hodgson’s often nomadic managerial career began 50 years ago, with a role at Swedish club Halmstads BK in 1976. He will return to Bristol City for his 23rd separate spell in charge of a team, having overseen 21 games at Ashton Gate in 1982 in what was his first managerial role in England.

“I have had great conversations with the board and I am really excited by the opportunity to help until the end of the season,” Hodgson, whose first match will be a trip to Charlton next Friday, said in a press release. “We will get straight to work and look for a positive performance on Good Friday.”

Hodgson stepped down as Crystal Palace manager in February 2024, with the club facing a relegation battle. He was admitted to hospital after falling ill during training and was replaced by Oliver Glasner, who lifted the FA Cup the following season.

Bristol CEO Charlie Boss said: “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.”