Exclusive: Bristol City in advanced talks to hire ex-PL club chief for senior role within days
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(Credit: Bristol City on YouTube, Imago) Tue 21 April 2026 15:29, UK Bristol City are in advanced talks with former Arsenal technical director James Ellis about becoming their new sporting director, sources have told Football Insider.Championship side Bristol City outlined their intention last month to appoint a new sporting director at Ashton Gate, and they have spoken to a number of candidates, including Ellis.Ellis left Arsenal last month after spending five years working at the Emirates, where he worked his way up from a scouting role to technical director.The Robins are confident of making the appointment before the end of the season.Arsenal technical director James Ellis is set to leave the club, just seven months after being promoted to the position.Ellis was chosen to become technical director last summer, having previously been Arsenal’s head of recruitment.The promotion was designed to provide…— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) February 20, 2026 View Tweet James Ellis closes in on Bristol City jobFootball Insider revealed earlier this month that Bristol City had interviewed Ellis about the role, with the Championship outlet now closing in on a move for the former Gunners figure. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The 46-year-old left his role at the Emirates after just seven months in his technical director role, and he could now be set for a new job at Ashton Gate ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.His future is to be decided much sooner than that, however, with the Robins wanting to make the appointment before the season ends, and the Championship play-offs are no longer possible.Championship standingGames playedWonDrawnLostPoints10.
Bristol City4316101758Under Roy Hodgson, form has been far better, with the 78-year-old losing just one of his four games in charge, but it has been too little too late to salvage the club’s hopes of promotion.New sporting director must address the manager situation at Ashton GateHodgson has instantly made a positive impact at Ashton Gate, but with the former England head coach already stating no desire to take on the job full-time, Ellis already has his first task.He replaced Gerhard Struber, who was sacked by the Robins, and Mick Brown told Football Insider that he could now be a “leading contender” to take over at West Brom ahead of next season.For Bristol City, Lee Carsley has been mentioned as a potential candidate in recent days, but it remains to be seen who the actual concrete options are leading up to the summer. 🏆 Championship Insider Access Get the full story from across the EFL with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from across the EFL Championship.