Big Tommy Elphick twist emerges after Bristol City snub | OneFootball

The Robins' previous managerial target is set for a major role after intense speculation

Bristol City's 2026/27 Championship season will, once again, begin under new management following the recent appointment of Michael Skubala at Ashton Gate on a three-year contract.

The Robins had been linked with a plethora of potential appointments in the BS3 dugout at the start of the off-season, with Roy Hodgson previously overseeing the final seven matches of the 2025/26 campaign after his short-term move generated plenty of discourse following the club's initial decision to part ways with Gerhard Struber in March.

This time 12 months ago, the Austrian was appointed following Liam Manning's exit for Norwich City, just weeks after City had suffered the displeasure of losing 6-0 to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals - their only involvement in the second tier's promotion lottery in the past 18 years.

Skubala, of course, moves to the West Country as one of the EFL's most highly-rated head coaches at this moment in time, having initially steadied the ship at Lincoln City in League One, before enjoying a remarkable campaign in 2025/26.

Indeed, the Imps embarked on a 29-game unbeaten run in the third tier from November 22nd onwards under the former Leeds United coach, resulting in the winning of the division on 103 points - a tally which only two previous sides have either equalled or bettered.

As such, plenty of spotlights will be cast on the 43-year-old in his first season with the Reds, as they look to build on a 12th-placed finish this term.

However, one man who was also linked with the Ashton Gate vacancy was former EFL stalwart, Tommy Elphick, although he now may feel extremely vindicated in his decision to snub the City hierarchy.

Indeed, the AFC Bournemouth assistant has enjoyed remarkable success at the Vitality Stadium as a player and now in a post-playing capacity.

After retiring in 2021, the 38-year-old has taken up various coaching roles with the Dorset outfit, which included being a part of Andoni Iraola's staff between 2023 and last month, with the Spaniard's exit well-documented for some time.

Due to various managerial movements across Europe, Iraola has been linked with a plethora of potential next moves in the Premier League and his home country after he was able to guide the Cherries into the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history off the back of an 18-game unbeaten streak.

He will be replaced by Marco Rose, formerly of RB Leipzig, and although he is yet to officially leave the club, Elphick has been a key part of such a strong managerial domino effect.

It was reported by BBC Sport last week that the former Aston Villa and Hull City man reluctantly rejected Bristol City's offer to kickstart a managerial career of his own due to a potential career crossroads.

And, with Arne Slot's dismissal from Liverpool confirmed on Saturday, Iraola immediately became the hot favourite to take over at Anfield, and such developments have fast-tracked in recent days, with Ben Jacobs reporting that a full agreement on proceedings could be made by the upcoming weekend at the latest.

The 43-year-old is said to have agreed his own terms, and now work on his backroom staff on Merseyside has commenced, which involves both Elphick and Shaun Cooper, as they are set to follow suit.

Bristol City fans will understand Liverpool attraction for previous target Tommy Elphick

Although the opportunity of potentially becoming the first man to bring top-flight football back to Ashton Gate since 1980, over time, could have been seen as an exciting challenge for Elphick, the attraction of working at Liverpool is one which not many in football would turn down.

Even though Liverpool only finished one place and three points in front of the Cherries in 2025/26, the North West outfit are still one of the biggest clubs in the world, never mind in English football, and Iraola would hope to have a similar impact at Anfield with a much greater budget.

That said, such feats are not a guarantee, as he will have plenty of work to do to rebuild the squad at his disposal, especially following the confirmation of Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah's official departures in the coming days and weeks.