Exclusive: Don Goodman warns Bristol City against appointing "left-field" 48-year-old as manager | OneFootball

Don Goodman has shared his thoughts on Bristol City's interest in former Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber.

Pundit Don Goodman believes that former Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber would be a risky appointment for Bristol City amid reports that he is under consideration to replace Liam Manning at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City finished sixth in the Championship last season before suffering a record-breaking 6-0 aggregate defeat to Sheffield United in their play-off semi-final, and they suffered further frustration earlier this month as head coach Manning departed to take over at Norwich City, with the Canaries reportedly paying around £800,000 in compensation to land his services.

Ex-Luton Town manager Rob Edwards was one of the early names to be linked with the vacancy, but the Robins may now have to turn their attention elsewhere as he is reportedly closing in on a move to Middlesbrough.

According to Bristol Live, no agreement to appoint Manning's successor is close at this stage, but Struber, who kept Barnsley in the Championship in the 2019-20 season during a near 11-month spell at Oakwell, is "one of the contenders for the job", with other unknown names also in the frame.

Struber has been out of work since being sacked by German side Cologne last month with just two games of the season remaining, despite his side sitting second in the 2. Bundesliga at the time of his departure, but he could now be set to make a swift return to management with City.

Don Goodman reacts as Bristol City eye Gerhard Struber

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman admitted that, aside from his time at Barnsley, Struber has a strong managerial record, but he expressed reservations about whether he would be the right appointment for Bristol City.

"It didn't really go well at Barnsley for Gerhard Struber, so it would be an interesting scenario were he to end up at Bristol City," Goodman said.

"Since then, he's been out in the MLS with the New York Red Bulls, and then he's been over at Salzburg and Cologne, so he's been around a bit.

"When you analyse his career, it's only really Barnsley where he's suffered.

"I think Bristol City are probably going to find it more difficult next season, I don't particularly see them pushing for a top six spot.

"I feel that the Championship is maybe going to be harder and better quality, with more depth to it.

"Gerhard Struber to Bristol City is a bit left-field if you ask me."

Gerhard Struber could be an exciting choice for Bristol City despite Barnsley relegation battle in 2020

While Cologne did eventually seal promotion back to the Bundesliga without Struber, the 48-year-old certainly laid the foundation for their success last season, and he can count himself incredibly unlucky to have lost his job when his side were still in the top two.

Struber has an impressive record in many of his recent jobs, and while Goodman is right that his time at Barnsley was more challenging, he still managed to achieve his objective of keeping the club in the Championship, with the Tykes securing survival in dramatic fashion after scoring a last-minute winner at Brentford on the final day of the 2019-20 season.

That second tier experience will no doubt be beneficial to Struber if he takes over at Ashton Gate, and although he would be a gamble for Bristol City, he could be an exciting choice, particularly given the lack of quality options currently on the market.