Norwich City boss Liam Manning is facing mounting pressure after a damaging defeat against Bristol City left his side perilously close to the Championship drop zone
The Canaries’ 1-0 loss at Ashton Gate has intensified scrutiny around Manning’s position, with frustration among supporters growing amid a poor start to the season.
FINAL WHISTLE FEELING. 🥳 pic.twitter.com/N1rdsouKZZ
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) October 18, 2025
What Happened and Why It Matters
Norwich’s latest setback marked their sixth defeat in 10 league outings, leaving them 20th in the table and level on points with the bottom 3. Despite arriving in the summer with ambitions of guiding the club towards a play-off push, Manning has overseen just 2 league victories, with his side yet to win at home in any competition this season.
The 39-year-old was appointed in June to replace Johannes Hoff Thorup following a disappointing mid-table finish last term. Hopes of a resurgence have quickly faded, as inconsistent performances and a lack of attacking confidence have turned optimism into growing unrest at Carrow Road.
Football Insider reported that the Bristol City clash was viewed internally as a “massive” fixture for Manning’s future, and defeat there has left his position increasingly fragile.
“Managers live and die by results, and Manning is no different to anybody,” journalist Pete O’Rourke said on the Inside Track podcast. “It was a massive game against his old club, and after that went wrong for him, the pressure just increases even more.”
The recent derby defeat to Ipswich Town has done little to ease the tension, and murmurs of discontent among fans have become difficult for the club to ignore.
SIX straight home defeats. It sounded like Ben Knapper rather than Liam Manning who was taking the most blame from the stands after another uninspiring performance. Bristol City’s Neto Borges (21) has now won twice at Carrow Rd this season. Two more times than any #ncfc player pic.twitter.com/c5VT2DZ2fG
— Chris Goreham (@CGoreham) October 18, 2025
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
Manning’s future now appears uncertain, with internal discussions expected if results do not improve quickly. Although he remains respected within the game and has previously been linked with other high-profile vacancies, patience at Norwich is wearing thin.
The Championship has already seen managerial casualties this season, with Paulo Pezzolano and Rubén Sellés both dismissed at Watford and Sheffield United respectively. Norwich’s hierarchy have so far resisted the temptation to make a similar change, but the club’s slide towards the relegation places could soon force their hand.
Norwich supporters have made their frustration clear, particularly with the side’s failure to win at home and a perceived lack of progress since Manning’s appointment. With crucial fixtures ahead and confidence visibly low, he must find a way to galvanise a squad that has lost belief in recent weeks.
For a club still harbouring long-term ambitions of returning to the Premier League, the next few games could prove decisive in determining whether Manning is given the chance to steady the ship or becomes the Championship’s latest managerial casualty.
