78-year-old Roy Hodgson makes shocking return as Bristol City Head Coach

Former England manager Roy Hodgson is set to take charge of Bristol City until the end of the season, marking a remarkable return to the club 44 years after his previous stint with the Robins.

The 78-year-old replaces Gerhard Struber, who parted ways with the club on Friday following a disappointing six-game winless run that effectively dashed their hopes of securing a play-off spot for promotion to the Premier League.

Speaking after his appointment, Hodgson said he was encouraged by his discussions with the club’s leadership and is eager to make an impact in the short term.

“I have had great conversations with the board and I am really excited by the opportunity to help until the end of the season,” he said.

Hodgson’s first game in charge will be a tough test against Sheffield United on Friday, as he looks to steady the team and finish the campaign on a positive note.

With City 16th in the table and unlikely to be dragged into a relegation battle, chief executive Charlie Boss said Hodgson’s appointment was designed to set “standards and values” going forward.

“Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games,” said Boss.

“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.”

Hodgson’s appointment takes him into half a century in management, having landed his first job at Swedish club Halmstad in 1976.

His first stint at Bristol City lasted just four months in 1982 before going on to manage a host of clubs including Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom, as well as four years in charge of England between 2012 and 2016.

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