Gerhard Struber: New Bristol City boss ‘a realist not a dreamer’

The 48-year-old arrives at Ashton Gate with a reputation for playing a style of high pressing, intense football while developing young players and integrating them into the first team.

“The style of play helps a lot, the last few years the club has grown in a good direction and the style of play they have created is a good fit with me and this can be a very good match,” he told BBC Radio Bristol.

“This is a mission for myself to bring and integrate young players into the first team but at the same time they have to deliver – it’s not a romantic plan, they have to do it in the right way.

“At the same time we want to create results and this is where I have experience in integrating young players and the goal is to bring the group further – we are very ambitious to do it in the right way.”

With strong investment in the club’s academy, Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown says any new head coach had to fit in with their policy of developing players and how they recruit them.

“We have the same process of recruiting managers as we do with players – you’ll be thinking who could be next in line because you never know what might happen,” he said.

“Gerhard was right towards the top of that list with his stats, knowledge and how he fits with the squad.

“The academy is an important part of the club, we’re not shy about wanting to develop players as well as have success on the pitch – you can see from his different jobs it’s a passion for Gerhard as well.”