Bristol City now considering move to hire ex-Hull City star instead of Skubala

Bristol City have whittled their managerial search down to two final names, which includes Bournemouth’s assistant manager, Tommy Elphick.

Bristol City identify final manager candidates

The Robins have been on the hunt for a new manager since the end of Roy Hodgson’s short spell in charge and several names have threatened to steal the headlines.

Fresh from losing the Scottish Premiership in the most dramatic way possible, Hearts boss Derek McInnes has been among the names linked with the job. Alas, luring him away from unfinished business at Tynecastle would be some task.

Instead, the search has been narrowed down to two other names – one of them being Lincoln City’s Michael Skubala and the other being Elphick.

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Bristol are now considering Elphick following his impressive spell as Andoni Iraola’s assistant manager at Bournemouth in the last four years.

The 38-year-old has made the final cut alongside Skubala, but represents a far bigger gamble given the fact that he would be stepping into his first-ever managerial job.

What the former defender doesn’t bring in experience in the dugout, he can take from experience on the pitch, however. Crucially, Elphick earned promotion to the Premier League during his time as a player and knows exactly what it takes. Skubala can’t say the same.

The Robins still have plenty of time to make a decision. Whether now is the right time to take a gamble on inexperience is the big question. Elphick has certainly played his part in Bournemouth’s transformation from relegation candidates to European qualification, but it remains to be seen whether that’s enough.

Why Bristol should take a gamble on Elphick

There is no hiding in the Championship, as sides have discovered as of late, but that shouldn’t stop Bristol from taking a risk. The Robins settled for a mid-table place in the end this season, but they don’t have to settle for another mediocre campaign when August comes back around.

Elphick, just 38 years old, has quietly played a key part at Bourmemouth – learning from one of the most impressive managers in the Premier League. Now, it’s time to take those teachings to the dugout.

It’s worth noting that, before they turned to Marco Rose, Bournemouth were considering Elphick themselves to replace Iraola. That sums up the excellent job that he has done for the Cherries. It was then that McGrath revealed how “highly-rated” the former Hull defender is at the Vitality.

Only time will tell if Elphick is ready for his first managerial role, but it’s a good sign that he’s found himself in the running for the Bristol job this far into their search.

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