With their spot in the second division guaranteed for the upcoming campaign, Bristol City is hoping to end the 2025–2026 Championship season on a strong note. At this point, neither relegation nor promotion are possible for the Robins.

Under former Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber, Bristol City was expecting to repeat last season’s 17-year wait to return to the Championship play-offs under Liam Manning, who left for Norwich City in the summer.

The Robins never really contested for the top six under Struber, and following a run of only one victory in nine games, he was fired. Roy Hodgson, a seasoned manager, took over until the end of the season while the team searches for a new permanent manager.

To the dismay of a Championship competitor, Bristol City appears to be nearing a new hire just days after the interview process, although they are also seeking a new sporting director.

Due to his Sheffield Wednesday connections, James Ellis is in advanced negotiations to take over as sporting director of Bristol City.

The pieces are gradually coming together as Bristol City gets ready for the new season. According to FootballInsider, they are in advanced talks with James Ellis, the former sporting director of Arsenal, about taking over a position at Ashton Gate that is comparable to what he had with the Gunners.

This coincides with Football League World’s exclusive revelation that Sheffield Wednesday was allegedly eager to bring Ellis to Hillsborough as well.

Ellis worked for Arsenal for five years, rising from scouting to technical director—a position he held for barely seven months—before leaving the team last month.

The Englishman also served as Arsenal’s head of recruiting in the past, managing significant arrivals and departures while he was there. Despite a recent decline in performance, Arsenal is still vying for the Premier League crown.

Charlie Boss, the chief executive of Bristol City, stated three weeks ago that he intended to appoint someone to this position by the end of the season. It appears that Boss has fulfilled his promise, since Ellis is expected to sign a contract soon.

Boss said on BBC Radio Bristol: “I’m now going through a process of making sure we get the best possible person in; the aim is to do that as quickly as possible while still making sure we get that best person.”The goal is to have someone here at the club who can oversee the hiring process for a new head coach and be ready for the summer transfer window.”

Bristol City needed to finalize this agreement as soon as possible in order to minimize any remaining competition from Sheffield Wednesday as well as to start planning for summer recruitment.

As for the Owls, they need to focus on other things because the Hillsborough hierarchy is still unclear and their takeover is still a long way off.

After James Ellis was appointed, Bristol City supporters will be hoping for a positive outcome.

Fans of Bristol City may look forward to the next summer with Ellis’ hiring almost secured.

Ellis will probably have some influence on the selection of a new permanent head coach since he will collaborate with Boss and the potential new head coach on hiring.

Now that one major appointment has been made, the Robins will be in a strong position to challenge the top six going into the upcoming season.

Although Lee Carsley has been mentioned as a possible possibility, Bristol City supporters are left wondering who will guide them into the upcoming season as there are currently no solid candidates.