Bournemouth assistant manager Tommy Elphick’s decision to turn down the opportunity to become Bristol City boss was “bold and brave”, says former Cherries forward Matt Tubbs.
The 38-year-old, who played for Bournemouth between 2012 and 2016, rejected what would have been his first role in senior management to assess his long-term options following the departure of Andoni Iraola.
“I can see both sides of it,” former team-mate Tubbs told BBC Radio Solent. “If he has aspirations of going into management, then Bristol City would have been an ideal first club.
“For him to turn that down is a bold and brave decision, but he is in a very strong position because his options are unbelievable.
“Turning down Bristol City is a big statement, but if he goes wherever Iraola goes then you can see why, and if he stays at Bournemouth it is a win-win for him.
“I’m sure he loves the club as much as anyone. He was captain of the club, so I’m sure all of the players are very fond of him as well. He would also get the guarantee of European football next season.
“If you are Tommy Elphick right now, you have one of the strongest hands going.
“We all looked up to him as players all them years ago, and I’m sure the current players – the older heads as well as the younger heads – look up to him because of what he has done at the football club [as a player and as a coach].”
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