Roy Hodgson returns to club management at the age of 78

Martin Macdonald

• 27 Mar 2026 09:30 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Roy Hodgson has come out of semi-retirement to act as caretaker manager for Bristol City.

The Robins are currently 16th in the Championship, 12 points clear of the relegation zone, but are on a wretched run of form and the club has opted to make a change before being drawn further into the battle against the drop, with manager Gerhard Strube sacked.

After one win in nine matches, Bristol City have gone from being playoff contenders to looking over their shoulder towards the bottom of the table.

"The club's recent performances have not met expectations and therefore Struber and assistant head coach Bernd Eibler will leave with immediate effect," a club statement read.

"I would like to thank Gerhard and Bernd for their hard work over the past nine months and we wish them all the best," City chief executive 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 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."

A message from Roy Hodgson. pic.twitter.com/rdMTKDTM7D

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) March 27, 2026

Hodgson has not been in a managerial role since 2024 when he was with Crystal Palace in the Premier League. After being brought in to save the club from relegation in 2023 following the tenure of Patrick Vieira, he was given a deal until the end of the next campaign.

However, with Palace dangerously close to the relegation zone, he stepped down and was replaced by Oliver Glasner. At the time, Hodgson was hospitalised after becoming ill during a training session.

He never officially confirmed his retirement, but his return is still a slight surprise given his age.

Hodgson remains one of the most respected managers in football as his career has taken him all around the world with various clubs and national teams.

It's a full circle moment for him as Bristol City was just the second club he managed in 1982 after a stint with Halmstad in Sweden.

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