Roy Hodgson is back in soccer management — at the age of 78.
The former England coach took charge of second-tier Bristol City on Friday, two years after leaving his last managerial job at Crystal Palace in the Premier League after falling ill amid widespread reports he was getting fired.
Hodgson is one of the most respected coaches in soccer, having held posts around the world for the last 50 years. One of his many former clubs is Bristol City, where he worked in the early 1980s as assistant manager and then, briefly, as manager.
“I have had great conversations with the board and I am really excited by the opportunity to help until the end of the season,” Hodgson said about taking over a team in 16th place in the 24-team Championship. “We will get straight to work.”
His first game in charge will be at Charlton on April 3.
Hodgson’s first job in his long, itinerant coaching career was in 1976 with Halmstad in Sweden.
He has since taken charge of high-profile clubs such as Inter Milan and Liverpool, and led England from 2012-16.
“Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games,” Bristol City chief executive Charlie Boss said. “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.”
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