Russell Martin has emerged as the early bookmakers' favourite to become Bristol City's new head coach, following Roy Hodgson's final game in interim charge. The former Southampton and Swansea City boss is priced at 3/1 to take over at Ashton Gate for the 2026/27 campaign.
Hodgson oversaw the final seven matches of the Championship season after Gerhard Struber was sacked in March, and consistently stated he would not remain beyond his caretaker tenure. The club's search for a permanent successor will be led by a yet-to-be-announced sporting director.
Martin, 40, has been out of work since leaving Rangers in October 2025. He began his coaching career at MK Dons in 2019, spent two years at Swansea, and guided Southampton to Premier League promotion via the play-offs in 2024 before departing in December of that year.
Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard and Portsmouth's John Mousinho are joint second favourites at 4/1. Gerrard last managed Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, leaving in January 2025, while Mousinho has guided Portsmouth to Championship safety. Steve Cooper, now at Brøndby, follows at 8/1, with Gary Rowett, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Tony Mowbray at 12/1.
Other linked names include Carlos Corberan, Liam Rosenior, Marti Cifuentes, and Craig Bellamy at 16/1, while Lee Carsley, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and Wayne Rooney are among those at longer odds. Bristol City have yet to provide a timeline for the appointment, which may become clearer once the new sporting director is confirmed.
