It was, by all accounts, a sensational return to management for Roy Hodgson, who at the age of 78 has returned back to the first English club he took charge of, after proving himself in Sweden at Halmstads BK.
His first match back in charge was against Sheffield United; just over 44 years and 22 jobs after, picking up his first win as Robins boss since his 3-1 victory at Preston North End in February 1982.
View this post on Instagram
Certainly, it was one for the history books though, Hodgson is somewhat of a stalwart of the English game having had stints in charge at, among many others, Fulham, Liverpool and of course, as the England national team manager, in addition to spells in Europe including Inter Milan.
While it remains to be seen how long Hodgson will remain in management, there can be no doubt, such is his love for the game, that he has received many admirers for his enthusiasm to take on such a job when many would have retired by now.
It would be a fairytale end to his career, if he can achieve what no one has ever really believed possible and take Bristol City into the Premier League, though the West Country side has forged a reputation over the years for playing good football, developing good players and selling them for big fees; Alex Scott, of course a recent example. This has allowed for sustainability for a healthy Championship club, with a good following that easily finishes around mid-table.
Someone like Hodgson, who famously took an ‘average’ Fulham side all the way to the Europa League final could well give the club that boost and go down in Robins’ folklore. His remarkable return got us thinking which other managers have returned to clubs they’ve managed and what the longest gap has been.
| Manager | Club | Gap Duration | Return Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Hodgson | Bristol City | 44 Years | 2026 |
| Jim Smith | Oxford United | 20 Years, 9 Months | 2006 |
| Kenny Dalglish | Liverpool | 19 Years, 11 Months | 2011 |
| Steve Kember | Crystal Palace | 19 Years | 2001 |
“King Kenny’s” Amazing Anfield Second Stint
Rodhullandemu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Beloved by Liverpool fans during his time as a player and then manager, it was a sensational return for Kenny Dalglish when he was appointed Reds boss again after 19 years and 11 months when he took charge again in 2011.
His first reign as Reds manager saw him win three league titles and two FA Cups between 1985 and 1991 and gloriously, he guided Liverpool to an emotional League Cup win against Cardiff City on penalties, on his return in the 2011/12 season, breaking a six-year trophy drought for the club.
Oxford United Welcome Back Jim Smith
There was a 20 year and nine month gap when former Oxford United boss, Smith returned to the hotseat in 2006 in a bid to save the club from relegation to the Conference League (now National League).
The following season though, he put together a 19-game run as he guided the club to the play-offs, only to lose in the semi-final. His time in charge the second time ended at the end of that season to focus on his job on the board, before stepping down entirely in 2009.
Having brought the club into the English top-flight during his first spell in charge during the 1980s, he is still considered a club legend, and is affectionately remembered as the “Bald Eagle” among fans.
Steve Kember Goes Back To Palace
Having managed the Eagles between 1981 and 1983, after starting his playing career at the club, Kember returned to Crystal Palace in 2001, initially as caretaker boss, before getting the job on a full-time basis, this time in 2003.
Despite a flying start that saw the club reach the top of the Championship, they soon plummeted and chairman Simon Jordan promptly sacked him with the club just two points above the relegation zone.
