England manager makes shock return to management at 78

Hodgson, 78, has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace over two years ago but is set to reprise his role in the dugout for the finale of the 2025/26 campaign.

As first reported by The Telegraph, Bristol City have sacked first-team boss Gerhard Struber and replaced him with the veteran manager.

The Robins are 16th in the Championship standings and have lost six of their last eight matches in all competitions, which included defeat by League One side Port Vale in the FA Cup.

Roy Hodgson returns to management at the age of 78

Hodgson's coaching career now spans 50 years, 22 teams, and eight different countries, following the West Country club's official announcement.

Hodgson’s managerial journey began in Sweden at the age of 29, where he was credited with modernising Swedish football by popularising the 4-4-2 formation and introducing zonal marking.

He won two league titles with Halmstads, previously-regarded as relegation fodder, in 1976 and 1979 before a five-year stint with Malmo in the mid-to-late 1980s. There, he won five consecutive league championships and two Swedish Cups, and is fondly remembered by the club's ultras section.

Remaining in Europe, Hodgson took on a number of high-profile roles across the continent, including the Switzerland national team job, leading 'Die Nati' to third in the FIFA World Rankings which earned him the job at Inter Milan.

With Inter he won the UEFA Cup and a later spell with FC Kobenhavn saw him add the Danish Superliga title to his trophy haul during his one and only season there.

After decades abroad, Hodgson returned to England where he steered Fulham to safety from relegation before taking them to a record 7th-place finish and an historic Europa League Final appearance in 2010. He was subsequently appointed Liverpool manager but had somewhat less success at Anfield.

Still, Hodgson was appointed England boss in 2012, leading the Three Lions at Euro 2012, the 2014 World Cup and 2016 European Championship, ending with defeat against Iceland at the latter tournament.

Get VIP England tickets HERE with Seat Unique!

England games are a rite of passage for any match-going fan – and unsurprisingly, hospitality tickets for the national side are amongst the very best in the country with pre-match lounge access, premium padded seats, quality dining and complimentary drinks. Matchday programmes and souvenirs are included, while the views are outstanding. You won't want to miss this.

View Deal

Hodgson's career has wound down since leaving the England job, taking up positions at boyhood club Crystal Palace on two occasions, either side of a brief Watford stint.

In 2024, he became the Premier League's oldest-serving manager at 76.

Once he takes to the dugout for the first time as Bristol City manager, Hodgson will surpass Neil Warnock as the oldest-serving boss in EFL Championship/Division One history.

“Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games," Robins chief executive Charlie Boss said in a statement. "Over the remainder of the season he will help us set the standards and values at the club that we we will need to be successful going forwards.

“Roy is a vastly experienced coach who has achieved at the highest level and he will support me, our players and our football staff as we build towards being ready for the Premier League.

“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.”