Liam Manning has been unveiled as Norwich City‘s new manager, finally resolving the issue of a permanent managerial replacement since Johannes Hoff Thorup’s dismissal in April.
The now-former Bristol City head coach has left Ashton Gate in favour of a new challenge with the Canaries, looking to hopefully better the disappointing Championship play-off semi-finals next season. Norwich will have undoubtedly looked upon the 39-year-old’s immense success with the Robins – achieving a top six finish in the second division after many years of relative mediocrity – as an indication of immense potential within their own club.
Jack Wilshere has consequently departed his role as interim boss at Carrow Road and has been linked with the top job at Plymouth Argyle, following Miron Muslic’s switch to FC Schalke 04.
Manning has managed 85 league matches with Bristol City since November 2023. A 34% win rate has been enhanced drastically by last season’s endeavours. According to ITV, an important and understandable reason for this move, despite an impressive campaign, is the ‘history in the area of Norwich’ that the 39-year-old has. Manning supposedly attended many games as a youngster and holds a deep connection to the East Anglian football club. A fee of around £800,000 is being talked of as a compensation fee for the Robins.
The former Lommel head coach will continue to work his way up the football pyramid, with a clear pattern in development emerging as an ambitious coach. Manning began his managerial career as a West Ham United under-23s coach in 2018, before switching to Lommel in Belgium for the first professional role of the Englishman’s career. Milton Keynes Dons then claimed Manning’s services ahead of the 2021/22 season before spells at Oxford United and Bristol City segued into this most recent move to Norwich.
As a young coach, with an experienced resumé, the 39-year-old will oversee the Canaries’ rebuild following a disappointing 13th-placed finish by Norwich’s standards. Despite scoring 71 goals, more than any other team bar champions Leeds United, the Canaries failed to capitalise on an exciting Championship attack comprising of Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz. Manning could be without the latter due to growing links to Villarreal and Olympiakos. The American striker is also being lauded as a potential target for Serie A giants, Roma.
Writer’s View
Manning has built a long-lasting legacy at Bristol City, with their first Championship play-off campaign ensuing since 2008. The compassion and relationship the 39-year-old has built with the fans at Ashton Gate has been emotional, considering his unwavering resilience through tough times, as well as incredibly rewarding despite the eventual play-off decimation by Sheffield United.
This feels like a sentimental move more than a necessarily correct one, especially considering the project being built with him at Bristol City. However, Manning has brought in good money for his departure and will be remembered fondly by the West Country fanbase.
