Elphick assessing his future options after rejecting Bristol City

Tommy Elphick rejected a move to Bristol City as he assesses his long-term future options.

The Bournemouth assistant was offered the job at the Robins, which would have been his first role in senior management.

But with the situation at the Cherries fluid, with Marco Rose replacing Andoni Iraola, sources have told BBC Sport Elphick is carefully considering his next move.

The 38-year-old has held positive talks with Rose, with the former RB Leipzig manager taking over on a three-year deal.

If the offer from Bristol City had come a few weeks later, with a clearer picture at Bournemouth, Elphick may have accepted the role.

There were positive talks with the Robins, with Elphick impressed with its personnel and the club's plans.

They finished 12th in the Championship this season and are looking for a permanent manager after ex-England boss Roy Hodgson was appointed on an interim basis in March following the dismissal of Gerhard Struber.

It was a reluctant decision but one he took with a potential career crossroads in front of him.

He helped Iraola guide the Cherries into Europe for the first time this season, finishing sixth in the Premier League to seal a Europa League place.

Iraola stepped down after three years in charge, with talks over a new deal unsuccessful despite the Cherries' desire to keep him.

Former defender Elphick made 145 appearances for Bournemouth, having signed from Brighton in 2012, to help them rise from League One to the Premier League.

He left in 2016 to join Aston Villa and also played for Reading, Hull City and Huddersfield Town.