Roy Hodgson impact at Bristol City as ex-Liverpool boss, 78, makes comeback

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Bristol City midfielder Scott Twine has praised Roy Hodgson's influence since the 78-year-old was appointed interim boss following Gerhard Struber's departure

Roy Hodgson is back in management(Image: Getty Images)

Roy Hodgson has been "massive" for Bristol City in the early stages of his tenure, according to Scott Twine, with the attacking midfielder eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible from the Robins' interim manager.

Following the decision to part company with Gerhard Struber as head coach two weeks ago, City appointed former Liverpool manager Hodgson, who is 78, as its interim boss until the end of the campaign, with the former Crystal Palace chief returning to Bristol 44 years after his last spell in charge.

The ex-England boss had been enjoying retirement for two years before his appointment in March, meaning the choice to entrust him with the Robins' run-in surprised supporters.

Yet on the pitch, Hodgson has enjoyed an ideal beginning to his temporary role.

City secured victories in both its Easter fixtures to move within nine points of the playoff places with five matches remaining.

While the 78-year-old's time on the training pitches has been restricted, he has influenced the squad's outlook.

Hodgson is a former Liverpool manager(Image: Getty Images)

"I didn't hear anything until it got put on social media about the old gaffer leaving and this gaffer coming in, but I've had stranger things that have happened in football," Twine told Bristol Live when asked about Hodgson's arrival.

"That's football at the end of the day. Things move on, you've got to move on quickly, and I think we've done that.

"He's obviously brought a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience.

"Everything he says, he says it for a reason, and there's purpose behind it. I think that's helped us and has been shown in the couple of games we've had.

"I think he came in knowing that we were obviously in a bad run of form, and he wanted to keep it as simple as possible. I think that's exactly what we needed at that time, so I think he's been massive for us.

"Every training session, meeting, [you] take little things out of it which go into games which have been really important for us.

"He's obviously had a brilliant career, and I can tell that from just the couple of weeks that he's been in so far.

"I've definitely taken things from him which show that he's been at the highest level for so many years, and I just want to take as many things as possible."