Sean O'Driscoll 'can be Bristol City hero', says Lansdown

Sean O'Driscoll could become a Bristol City "hero" if he saves them from relegation, says the club's football managing director Jon Lansdown.

O'Driscoll was unveiled as City's new head coach on Monday, following the sacking of Derek McInnes.

Saturday's 4-0 home defeat by Leicester City in McInnes' last game in charge left the Robins at the foot of the Championship table.

"He's got time to become a hero," Lansdown told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It's not going to be an easy task but Sean is known for getting the best out of players and I think he can make a difference.

"We know Sean is a good fit for the club. He was the only contact we made after the decision."

O'Driscoll, who has signed a 12-month rolling contract, was one of several candidates in the frame to replace Keith Millen as City manager in October 2011, but former St Johnstone boss McInnes was handed the role instead.

The Scotsman saved them from relegation last season, but only managed six wins from 26 games this term.

And Lansdown said they had no qualms appointing former Nottingham Forest boss O'Driscoll despite turning him down 15 months earlier.

"We're different as a board and different as a club. He impressed me at that point, but we had a different make-up.

"We had an admiration for Sean and we're delighted he's here now."

The former Republic of Ireland international is City's fifth manager since 2010, following Gary Johnson,Steve Coppell, Millen and McInnes, but Lansdown is adamant the board will remain loyal to their new boss.

"It's difficult to stand here and say 'we're a club that backs our managers' when there's a stat like that.

"This is certainly an appointment I'd like to see for the long term. There's been an unfortunate set of circumstances with the last three or four managers. It's been an unfortunate trend which is something we want to reverse," he said.

Lansdown went on to confirm the club were still interested in signing Crawley defender Kyle MacFadzean, who had been a target for McInnes.

The 25-year-old played under O'Driscoll during his short stint at the Broadfield Stadium over the summer.

"Kyle's been out for a while so it's making sure everything is right before it's finalised but it's something we'll pick up early on with Sean," added Lansdown.