Norwich City are poised to bring in Liam Manning from Bristol City to become their new head coach ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
Norwich City are poised to appoint current Bristol City boss Liam Manning as their new manager following their disappointing Championship season.
The Canaries parted ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup in April, after the top-six places were firmly out of sight, and it had been expected that Jack Wilshere would take the reins permanently after impressing as interim manager.
However, Wilshere has left the club completely, forcing the Norwich hierarchy to pursue other options in the search for Thorup’s permanent successor.
EFL Analysis exclusively revealed on Monday that Norwich’s search had closed in on Manning, and now it appears a former Premier League manager is interested in succeeding Manning at Ashton Gate.
Liam Manning’s move from Bristol City to Norwich City ‘all but done’
Manning led Bristol City to sixth place in the second tier table this season, but couldn’t mastermind a play-off semi-final victory over Sheffield United, after his side were beaten 6-0 on aggregate.
Despite Bristol City being humbled by Sheffield United, Manning has worked wonders at the Robins to finish inside the Championship top six with limited resources and budget, which has seen the 39-year-old head coach become a hot commodity in English football.
Now, the Canaries are expected to see Manning make the move to Carrow Road, and spearhead their promotion push for the upcoming campaign.
ITV reporter Ross Arnott said on X: “I understand deal for Liam Manning is all but done. Club have told me they expect Norwich move and wish him well. All very amicable but city can’t comment until it’s confirmed.”
EFL Analysis first revealed Manning’s links with the Norwich role earlier this month, with his move to Carrow Road expected amid the play-off campaign.
ITV’s Arnott, in a further update, has also explained that former Luton Town manager Rob Edwards is “interested” in replacing Manning at Ashton Gate, when the impending vacancy becomes open.
“Told Rob Edwards interested if/when vacancy comes up at Bristol City.”, Arnott added.
Bristol City supporters will be gutted to see Manning depart, but out-of-work Edwards’ Luton record should bring some optimism ahead of next season.
Liam Manning’s record compared to Luke Edwards’ amid Norwich City move
Edwards left Luton in January, following four successive defeats in the second tier, that saw the Hatters slump to 20th in the Championship.
The 42-year-old had masterminded Luton’s promotion back to the Premier League after a 30-year absence, but departed Kenilworth Road in place of Matt Bloomfield, who oversaw their relegation into League One.
| Liam Manning’s record at Bristol City | Rob Edwards’ record at Luton Town |
| Games – 82 | Games – 103 |
| Wins – 28 | Wins – 33 |
| Draws – 25 | Draws – 23 |
| Losses – 29 | Losses – 47 |
| Win rate – 34% | Win rate – 32% |
Manning made the move from Oxford United to Bristol City in November 2023, and has stabilised the Robins as a top-table second tier outfit.
We know via information from Chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Manning’s true motivations for the Norwich switch are not just geographical advantages, but because he believes Norwich are better equipped to earn promotion over Bristol City due to the resources he will have available.
Both Manning and Edwards have similar win rates from their most recent clubs, Bristol City and Luton respectively, and the duo could be set to battle it out for promotion in next season’s Championship if their moves materialise.
