Gerhard Struber has been appointed as Bristol City’s new manager following Liam Manning’s departure for Norwich.
Struber’s appointment comes just over two weeks after Manning left the club to join Norwich, having guided the Robins to last season’s Championship Play-Off semi-finals.
Struber has previous Championship experience after he managed Barnsley for 11 months between November 2019 – October 2020, during which he kept them up in the second-tier following a dramatic final-day decider in 2019-20 season behind closed-doors.
Speaking about his decision to return to English football after spells at New York Red Bulls, RB Salzburg and Cologne, Struber said that he is “very excited” to have a new challenge which fits his managerial style.
“The style of play here fits completely, especially developing young players.
“This is a very interesting group, and I think they did a great job last season and were very successful. Right now is the time to build and do everything we can to take us to the next level.
“The big responsibility is in the first team, to build, develop and create results but at the same time it is a duty to bring players from the local area and into the academy and give them a pathway to become a professional footballer at Bristol City.”
Struber also revealed that fans can expect a high-intensity possession-based style as he continued: “I like to play with high intensity on the field. We will control, we will dominate the game, and we’ll play attractive football for the fans.
“We need them [fans] behind us, we need them over the whole season and with us through the ups and downs. We need the twelfth man behind us to help us achieve and take the next step.”
Bristol City’s Chairman, Jon Lansdown added that he is “delighted” to sign Struber as Manning’s replacement, and hopes that the 48-year-old Austrian can bring his experience and style of play to the Robins.
“He has managed in a variety different countries, including in the Championship, and brings a wealth of experience and energy.
“For the last four years, we have moved our academy teams towards a high intensity, pressing style of play, and combined this with recruiting younger players with those same capabilities for the first team.
“Gerhard’s style is perfectly suited to this way of playing and his passion for developing younger players is also a great fit for our club.
“It’s a really exciting appointment and I’m looking forward to us building on the progress the club has made.”
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