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Callum O'Connell

Tue 31 March 2026 9:42, UK

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Roy Hodgson will bring structure and discipline to his Bristol City side after his surprise appointment to replace Gerhard Struber at the Championship club.

The 78-year-old brings a wealth of experience with him to the role, despite the short contract which the boss has confessed was the main reason he took the job.

His most recent role was with Crystal Palace in 2024, where he did a “fantastic” job, and he will now look to enjoy further success in the seven remainig games of the season.

Former Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who worked closely alongside Hodgson at Ewood Park, told Football Insider that he will get the best out of his Bristol City side.

Hodgson does not abide laziness and demands full commitment and respect for his practices, and will organise a well-drilled side while Bristol City look for a new manager.

Bristol City told what to expect from Roy Hodgson

Football Insider reported on 27 March that Bristol City will be boosted by Hodgson’s arrival as he looks to put a stop to what has been a difficult run of form.

The boss has shown in the past that things must be done his way, when he comes into a club he demands the players meet his standards

While the boss’ return to management has not come as a surprise to Brown, there is also a feeling he will manage Bristol City differently to his previous roles.

“I’m not too surprised to see Roy back in management,” Brown told Football Insider.

“In the nicest way possible, his ego wouldn’t allow him to turn down an opportunity like this and to admit that his days in management have gone.

“A bit like we’re seeing with Harry Redknapp admitting he would be open to the Tottenham job, although Bristol City is less of a pressured job than that would be.

“I wish Roy the best of luck, I think he will do a good job there over these seven games in charge.

“I’ve known him for years, way back when I was doing my coaching badges and on the courses, Roy would often be there as well with people like Mike Kelly.

“I always remember saying to somebody when he was coming to Blackburn, he has paid his dues, going around different clubs in Europe to become a better coach.

“Then he came to Blackburn, where I’d just been appointed as the chief scout, and immediately he expects a lot of you, he told me to go and get him a goalkeeper.

“So I went and did that, and he never mentioned it, there was never a ‘well done’, even a ‘he’s not quite what I wanted’, there was no mention of it, he just expected it of you.

“And it was the same with his players, he wouldn’t take any nonsense and all of a sudden we started selling big players, and it was because Roy wouldn’t tolerate these big egos.

“I’ve been told similar stories from his time in Italy, he didn’t like to handle these big-name players.

“But when he was at Crystal Palace, he treated that in an entirely different way because they didn’t have those big names, and it’s the same at Bristol City.

“He will demand a lot of his players, they’ll have to match up to his standards, but those sorts of clashes he’d have won’t be an issue for them.”

Who could be the next Championship manager sacked?

Struber has become the latest Championship boss to lose his job despite the positive work he has done at Bristol City in recent years, including reaching last season’s playoffs.

While the Robins have endured a miserable season this time around, his dismissal came as a shock, but he might not be the last boss out the door this season.

Football Insider reported on 29 March that Chris Davies is in trouble at Birmingham City after being put under significant pressure since their promotion from League One.

England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley has recently opened the door for a return to club management, and is believed to be a leading contender at St Andrews’.

The Blues’ Knighthead ownership group are determined to achieve quick success, and if they do not feel that under Davies, they could be tempted into a change.