Hodgson Returns to Football After Retirement
Roy Hodgson has not been involved in football since departing Crystal Palace in 2024. However, the 78-year-old has come out of retirement to take on the role of caretaker manager at Championship club Bristol City.
Hodgson accepted the position on a short-term basis until the end of the season following the dismissal of Gerhard Struber on Friday. He confirmed that he will oversee the club's remaining seven games and emphasized that he is "too old" to commit to a long-term role.
"You don't work at top level football at my age really very often," Hodgson said.
"I'd come to terms with that quite well then something like this happens and you realise that there's a lot I do miss.
Having this opportunity to get a feel for that again, and have a chance to work with a good group of players - it seems from what I saw this morning - and to relive being on the grass and doing the coaching, which I've always been really keen to do, and with a group of players without necessarily having all the drawbacks."
Connection to Bristol City
Hodgson returns to Bristol City, the club where he began his managerial career in 1982. He previously managed the Robins for four months during a financially turbulent period when the club faced the threat of going out of business.
"I've been perfectly happy in my retirement period – a little bit bored from time to time – but a challenge like this was hard to turn down," Hodgson said.
"Plus the fact it is Bristol which is a lovely city and I do have fond memories of my time here, despite the fact I shouldn't have fond memories - I should be having nightmares."
Appointment Process and Role Clarification
Hodgson revealed that he was initially contacted about the caretaker role by Richard Scudamore, the former Premier League chief executive who joined Bristol City's board in October. Scudamore introduced Hodgson to the club's new chief executive, Charlie Boss, and both were "very persuasive" in securing his agreement.
He made clear that he has no interest in the club's vacant sporting director position after the season concludes. The temporary nature of the caretaker role was a significant factor in his decision to accept.
"It was always on the basis that we think you do the work for this five-week period and at the end of it I hope they will have found their new sporting director, found their new manager and the club will go from strength to strength," Hodgson explained.
"I hope to get some enjoyment from being here, to re-energise myself from being back on the grass and being back with players which has always been what I've wanted to do."
Upcoming Matches and Hodgson's Experience
Hodgson faces fixtures against Charlton and Sheffield United over the Easter period as he begins his caretaker tenure.
He served as England manager from 2012 to 2016, leading the national team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012. However, England exited the 2014 World Cup at the group stage, and Hodgson resigned following a shock defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.
Throughout his extensive career, Hodgson has managed numerous clubs including Inter Milan, Liverpool, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, and had two spells at Crystal Palace.
Bristol City currently sit 16th in the Championship after starting 2026 in the play-off positions. Prior to Hodgson's first game in charge at Charlton, the club had won only once in nine matches across all competitions.
Hodgson's Approach and Goals
With only seven games remaining over the next five weeks, Hodgson acknowledged limited opportunities for training and tactical changes. Nevertheless, he emphasized that he is not at the club "for a ride" and hopes to lay foundations that will benefit Bristol City beyond his tenure.
"I'm hoping that with my experience and the way I work, some of that might be different to the club and to the players and staff around the club," he said.
"And if it's any good, hopefully some of that will be of value and advantage."
