Bristol City, Norwich City keen on ex-Arsenal director James Ellis

Bristol City are preparing for a new chapter with significant changes already made. Charlie Boss was hired as the Robins’ new chief executive, and he has been tasked with bringing in a sporting director.

They will work closely with the next head coach. Roy Hodgson is in charge until the end of the season on an interim basis, before a permanent appointment is brought in for the summer transfer window and beyond.

Now, according to a report from Football Insider, one man being eyed up for the sporting director role at Ashton Gate is James Ellis. It is said that Bristol City have interviewed the 46-year-old, who was last a technical director with Premier League side Arsenal, only leaving in February.

Interestingly though, it is said that Championship rivals Norwich City are also interested in Ellis. He worked alongside their sporting director Ben Knapper while at the Gunners, though it is not said what role he would hold at Carrow Road.

Bristol City must get the house in order after a poor 2025/26 season

It has been a tough season at Bristol City. It was hoped that the Robins could kick on and push for the play-offs again after finishing in the top six in 2024/25, but that has not proven to be the case.

Liam Manning was lost to Bristol City, and Gerhard Struber received limited backing from the hierarchy. That brought heavy criticism the way of Steve Lansdown and co, but Struber ended up being the fall guy as he was sacked in March.

Hodgson’s short-term appointment raised eyebrows but has brought two wins from two games. That has helped settle things a bit at Ashton Gate, but there’s no doubting improvements are a must for next season.

To do that though, new chief executive Boss must get the sporting director appointment bang on. From there, they can move onto the managerial team, with Bristol City sure to be weighing up plenty of candidates.

Could Norwich City scupper Bristol City’s James Ellis pursuit?

Norwich City’s interest in Ellis could be a spanner in the works for Bristol City.

The chances are that the Robins would offer a more senior role – they are eyeing Ellis as a sporting director, which is occupied by former colleague Knapper in Norfolk. That said, it could be that he is intrigued by the possibility of working alongside Knapper again with the Canaries.

The Robins will hope that is not the case. It remains to be seen whether Ellis is their preferred candidate following his interview, but if he is, they might be wise to move swiftly.

If not, it might not be long before the former Arsenal director appears elsewhere.