Football Season Guide

Bristol City enjoyed their most successful season in 17 years under head coach Liam Manning. The Robins finished in 6th place in the Championship, claiming the final play-off place, although sadly they proved to be no match for Sheffield United, losing 6-0 on aggregate over the two legs of their semi-final. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable campaign but there was further dismay just around the corner when Manning was tempted an offer to take over his home town club Norwich City, which proved to be too much to resist. Gerhard Struber has the unenviable task of following in Manning’s footsteps. The Austrian’s only previous experience of English football came back in 2020 when he successfully steered Barnsley to Championship survival. He was only at Oakwell for just over ten months so will have to get up to speed quickly. He does inherit a strong squad with an impressive spine. Max O’Leary was an ever-present between the sticks last season; Rob Dickie a big presence in the centre of defence; Player-of-the Season Jason Knight controlled the middle of the park allowing playmaker Anis Mehmeti to pull the strings ahead of him. Perhaps the one thing that was missing was a reliable goalscorer and the Robins have moved quickly to address that this summer with the addition of striker Emil Riis Jakobsen from Preston North End. There’s only really been one notable departure and that was expected with midfielder George Earthy returning to West Ham United following the end of his season-long loan. There is clearly still some work to do in the transfer market. Struber will want to bring in players who are comfortable working with him and his preferred system. The club is stable off the pitch but it’s going to be a season of transition on the pitch for the Robins.