“I’m really glad that I took it on because working with this team has rejuvenated me a little bit and given me a lot of enjoyment.”
Interim Bristol City boss Roy Hodgson, ahead of kick-off at Ashton Gate(Image: Photo by Simon Galloway/Getty Images)
Roy Hodgson insists he would “be foolish” to claim he won’t miss day-to-day football, but Bristol City’s interim boss has no intention of begging the Robins to give him the job permanently as he nears the end of his tenure.
Having been happily retired since he left Crystal Palace more than two years ago, Hodgson returned to the Ashton Gate dugout in late March, 44 years after his previous spell, following the Reds’ decision to relieve Gerhard Struber of his duties.
The 78-year-old was tasked with guiding City through the final seven games of the Championship campaign, with the plan being that a permanent manager will be appointed ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season. After last weekend’s defeat at Birmingham City, six of those seven matches have now been played.
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This Saturday’s visit of Stoke City will therefore be the final match of the former England boss’ interim tenure. Although the plan has always been that this would be a short-term role, he expects he will miss his work after an enjoyable spell in south Bristol.
“It’s a very difficult question for me to answer, really,” the interim boss told Bristol Live when asked how he felt heading into his final game at Ashton Gate. “I don’t know what I should say.
“I have enjoyed this challenge that was presented to me, and I’m really glad that I took it on because working with this team has rejuvenated me a little bit and given me a lot of enjoyment. I’m pretty sure that I will miss it, but on the other hand, I’ve been conditioned from the start that this is what it’s going to be. This is my role, this is what I’ve got to try and do; when I leave the club, this is what I’m going to try and leave them with, as it were, so I don’t think it will be difficult for me in that respect.
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“But, every time I’ve taken myself away from football with the various resignations that I’ve had over the years, I’ve missed the day-to-day football, as I’ve really enjoyed it now. I’d be foolish to say I won’t miss it this time; perhaps I shall.
“But the years creep on, and it would have been very hard for me to do it when I was younger, but now at the age I am, I think it will be a bit easier.”
From the moment he stepped through the door at Ashton Gate last month, Hodgson has been clear that he has no intention or interest in taking on the Robins head coach’s position permanently. In fact, he suggested the short-term nature of the role was what attracted him in the first place.
At points during his five-week tenure, there have been suggestions from some pundits and supporters that an extension beyond the weekend’s clash with Stoke wouldn’t be a bad idea. Such ideas have typically been rebuffed by the 78-year-old, whose view has remained consistent throughout.
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While last week, Hodgson opened the door to further involvement in football in the future – admitting he could never say never when asked if this would be his last job in the sport – he doesn’t intend on asking the Reds to be kept on upon the expiry of his deal next week.
“My remit and my contract with Bristol City takes me through to next Saturday and a week beyond because the people at the club would like to speak to me with regard to my thoughts and maybe something they want to discuss, Hodgson explained. “So I’ve got two weeks, if you like, in that respect.
“But if your saying is there a chance that all of a sudden I’m going to beg Bristol City to give me the job, that’s not going to happen.”
OPINION
OPINION
Daniel Carter