Bristol City are closing in on securing Oxford United head coach Liam Manning as their new manager, according to the Bristol Post.
The outlet are claiming that the 38-year-old manager is the current frontrunner to succeed Nigel Pearson after the latter was relieved of his duties at Ashton Gate over a week ago, but the Robins will be forced to pay his release clause.
Manning took charge at the Kassam Stadium last March and has guided the U’s near the top of League One where his side currently sit second in the table, three points behind unbeaten league leaders Portsmouth.
The former MK Dons boss is reported to have a six-figure buyout clause in his contract, having penned a two-year deal near the start of the year with the option to extend his stay at Oxford United by a further year.
However, the impressive job he’s done with a limited budget has piqued the interest of Bristol City, who are now hoping to fill the vacant head coach position with Manning. As a result of the buyout clause, City haven’t needed to seek formal permission to speak to the young manager.
Manning boasts a 48.28% win ratio with the third-tier outfit since taking the reins in March and has a 47.89% win rate throughout his entire managerial career, according to Soccerbase. Meanwhile, Pearson’s win rate with City was just 32.06%.
Caretaker manager Curtis Fleming took charge of the side’s narrow 1-0 win at home against Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. A 64th-minute goal from Robert Dickie sealed all three points for the Robins.
The managerial post has been vacant for little over a week after Pearson was sacked following a 2-0 defeat away at Cardiff City with the side sitting 15th in the second tier despite having a “top ten” budget in the division.
Chief Executive Jon Lansdown will be hoping Manning can be the man to finally lead Bristol City to a promotion push after several years of teetering around mid-table.
Writer’s View
Manning is an excellent choice. While appointing the former West Ham United youth coach could come at an immediate cost, he is one of the best young managers in the country.
The ex-MK Dons man has led Oxford United to second in League One so imagine what he could do with a more lenient budget and better players.
Deputy Head of Writing
