Three Managers Bristol City Must Consider Immediately After Tommy Elphick Setback

Bristol City F.C. have once again found themselves back at the drawing board in their search for a new manager after a dramatic twist involving one of their leading candidates.

For much of the past week, it had appeared increasingly likely that former AFC Bournemouth assistant coach Tommy Elphick would become the next permanent boss at Ashton Gate. Reports had suggested the Robins had narrowed their shortlist down to two preferred options, with Elphick and Michael Skubala emerging as the standout contenders for the role.

Speculation intensified after several well-connected journalists reported that Elphick was on the verge of taking over in Bristol. At the same time, news emerged that Skubala was expected to commit his future to Lincoln City F.C. by signing a new contract extension.

Those developments appeared to point clearly toward Elphick being the chosen man to replace interim manager Roy Hodgson.

However, events have now taken another unexpected turn.

Fresh reports indicate that Elphick is likely to remain at Bournemouth after deciding to continue working at the Vitality Stadium under incoming head coach Marco Rose.

That outcome leaves Bristol City scrambling once again in their search for a permanent manager ahead of the new Championship season.

The club have already endured a lengthy and very public recruitment process since parting company with Gerhard Struber earlier in the year. Hodgson temporarily steadied the ship during a seven-match interim spell, but Bristol City are now desperate to appoint someone capable of leading them back toward the Championship play-off places.

With Elphick seemingly no longer an option and Skubala expected to stay at Lincoln, attention must quickly shift toward alternative candidates.

Here are three managers Bristol City should seriously consider pursuing immediately.

Dave Challinor Could Be Ready for Championship Opportunity

One manager who should undoubtedly be on Bristol City’s radar is Dave Challinor of Stockport County F.C..

Although Challinor remains under contract at Stockport, recent developments suggest there could potentially be uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Edgeley Park following the club’s disappointing defeat in the League One play-off final.

Stockport suffered a heavy 4-1 loss against Bolton Wanderers F.C. at Wembley, missing out on promotion to the Championship despite another hugely impressive campaign under Challinor.

The 50-year-old has done a remarkable job during his time with the Hatters, overseeing one of the most impressive rises in English football over recent years.

When Challinor arrived, Stockport were competing in the National League. Since then, he has transformed the club into genuine promotion contenders and guided them to consecutive third-place finishes in League One.

Given the consistency and progress he has delivered, it feels inevitable that Championship opportunities will begin arriving sooner rather than later.

Importantly for Bristol City, there are signs that significant changes are taking place behind the scenes at Stockport this summer.

One major development was the departure of Simon Wilson, who played a key role in the club’s rise during his six years at Edgeley Park. Wilson worked as sporting director before later becoming chief executive and was viewed as one of the driving forces behind Stockport’s modern success.

After the play-off final defeat, Challinor himself hinted there would soon be important discussions regarding the future direction of both the squad and the club overall.

The manager admitted that he and the owners would need time to assess the situation and decide what comes next.

That uncertainty could potentially create an opening for Bristol City.

Challinor has already proven his ability to build competitive, hard-working teams capable of exceeding expectations, and his tactical flexibility has been widely praised throughout the Football League.

His teams are known for being organised, aggressive, and difficult to play against while still carrying a strong attacking threat.

Bristol City could benefit enormously from appointing someone with that type of clear football identity.

Perhaps most importantly, Challinor represents a manager who is still hungry to prove himself at a higher level.

The Championship is an unforgiving division, but Bristol City may find that appointing an ambitious coach on the rise offers greater long-term potential than turning once again toward more familiar names.

If Challinor indicates any willingness to leave Stockport this summer, the Robins should make every effort to move quickly.

Slaven Bilic Would Bring Experience and Promotion Credentials

Another candidate Bristol City should seriously consider is experienced Croatian coach Slaven Bilić.

Bilic has been out of management for nearly two years since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Fateh SC, but his name has repeatedly resurfaced in connection with several major English jobs during recent months.

That ongoing interest suggests many clubs still view him as a manager capable of succeeding in the Championship or Premier League.

The former Croatia international has already built a strong reputation in English football through previous spells with West Ham United F.C. and West Bromwich Albion F.C..

At West Ham, Bilic guided the club into European qualification and produced exciting, attacking football that made the Hammers one of the most entertaining teams in the league during parts of his tenure.

Meanwhile, his spell at West Brom arguably makes him especially appealing for Bristol City’s current situation.

Bilic successfully led the Baggies to promotion from the Championship by winning the division, proving he understands exactly what is required to compete at the top end of the table.

That experience could be extremely valuable for a Bristol City side hoping to return to play-off contention after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

Over the past year, Bilic has also been linked with several high-profile vacancies.

Following the dismissal of Graham Potter, there were suggestions he could potentially return to West Ham.

Supporters at West Brom also publicly pushed for Bilic to return to The Hawthorns after the departure of Eric Ramsay.

In addition, Bilic was reportedly considered by Blackburn Rovers F.C. before they eventually turned toward Michael O’Neill.

Those repeated links demonstrate that Bilic remains highly respected within the English game despite his recent absence from management.

For Bristol City, appointing someone with Bilic’s pedigree would instantly raise expectations and add significant experience to the project at Ashton Gate.

The Croatian’s personality and charisma could also help energise both supporters and players after a difficult year.

While his brief spell at Watford F.C. did not work out, that particular role has proven challenging for countless managers due to the club’s instability and constant turnover.

Overall, Bilic’s track record remains impressive.

He has managed internationally, coached in multiple major leagues, and experienced both promotion battles and top-flight competition.

Bristol City may benefit enormously from adding that level of experience to the dugout.

Jon Dahl Tomasson Could Thrive With Proper Backing

A third extremely interesting option for Bristol City would be former Blackburn Rovers F.C. boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.

There is little doubt regarding Tomasson’s coaching quality.

The main question would likely centre around whether Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown and the club’s hierarchy are prepared to provide the level of backing required to convince him.

Tomasson remains highly respected for the impressive work he carried out at Blackburn during difficult circumstances.

In his only full season at Ewood Park during the 2022/23 campaign, the Danish coach guided Blackburn to the brink of the Championship play-offs.

Rovers ultimately missed out only on goal difference as Sunderland A.F.C. snatched the final top-six position.

That achievement became even more impressive considering Blackburn’s financial limitations and the challenges Tomasson later faced regarding player sales and reduced budgets.

During the summer after narrowly missing the play-offs, Blackburn significantly reduced their spending power, creating frustrations behind the scenes.

The situation worsened further when star midfielder Adam Wharton was sold in January 2024 for £18 million.

Results subsequently declined, and tensions between Tomasson and the Blackburn board eventually led to his departure.

Despite that difficult ending, many observers felt the Dane had overachieved given the circumstances.

His teams typically played attractive, attacking football while also remaining tactically disciplined and competitive.

Bristol City could potentially benefit greatly from bringing in a coach with such a progressive football philosophy.

The situation also parallels some of the frustrations experienced by former Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber.

Struber previously admitted the club needed greater investment if they hoped to consistently challenge near the top of the Championship.

The Austrian coach was particularly frustrated after losing key players such as Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner during the January transfer window.

However, unlike some Championship owners, Steve Lansdown has consistently demonstrated a long-term commitment to Bristol City.

Having owned the club for three decades and being a Bristol native himself, Lansdown clearly cares deeply about the future of the Robins.

That commitment could prove crucial if Bristol City attempt to convince Tomasson to take over.

If the hierarchy can reassure him that the club are serious about investment and ambitious regarding future progress, the former Denmark international could emerge as an outstanding appointment.

Tomasson already possesses title-winning pedigree from his successful spell in Sweden, while his near-play-off finish at Blackburn showed he can compete effectively in the Championship.

He also brings a modern footballing approach that could excite supporters and improve the overall style of play at Ashton Gate.

For Bristol City, appointing a coach like Tomasson would signal clear ambition.

Bristol City Must Move Quickly

After the apparent collapse of the Tommy Elphick move, Bristol City cannot afford for their managerial search to drag on much longer.

The longer uncertainty continues, the more difficult preparations for the new season become.

Pre-season planning, recruitment decisions, and squad evaluations all depend heavily on appointing the right manager as quickly as possible.

Whether the club turn toward an ambitious rising coach like Dave Challinor, an experienced proven operator like Slaven Bilic, or a progressive tactician like Jon Dahl Tomasson, the next decision made by the hierarchy could define Bristol City’s immediate future.

Following weeks of speculation, setbacks, and public uncertainty, supporters will now hope the club can finally identify the right candidate capable of leading the Robins forward again.