Former Crystal Palace, Liverpool and England manager Hodgson, 78, was appointed by the Robins last week.
And the Robins delivered Hodgson a win on debut last night at Charlton Athletic, with Bristol City coming out 2-1 victors.
The victory moved Bristol City to 13th on the Championship table and Hodgson said afterwards: "I was pleased for the team. I was pleased with the way that they went about trying to win the game.
"I thought in the first half, and in the second half, before the onslaught started, we were looking really good value for a victory. Also, I must take my hat off to that backline, the goalkeeper and the midfield players for surviving the onslaught.
"I'm afraid that the cult of the manager, the cult of the coach is something that I tend to play down. It's the football players that win it. If you're going to win, you need quality in your team."
On what he learned from his players on Friday night, Hodgson added: "I've learned a lot.
"Don't forget, this is the first time I've seen these seriously play live, so I've learned a lot.
"I think they should be proud of the fact that they came away with the three points, and I personally thought, certainly for large periods of the game, we were more deserving of it."