Liam Manning speaks for first time after leaving Bristol City for fellow Championship club Norwich City on a four-year deal.
The 39 year old,was lured in through a release clause, after guiding the Robins to this year’s playoff semi-final, losing to Sheffield United 6-0 on aggregate.
The announcement end a thorough month-long search for the Canaries after Johannes Hoff Thorup was sacked back in April.
We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Liam Manning as our new head coach 🤝
Welcome to the club, Liam 🟡
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 3, 2025
NORWICH STATEMENT:
Norwich City are delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Manning as head coach, following an extensive recruitment process.
Manning, 39, joins from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City where he had been head coach since November 2023, leading the Robins to the play-offs in the 2024/25 season.
A native of Norfolk and a former member of the Canaries’ academy, Manning gained experience as head coach of West Ham’s Under-23 side and later as New York City FC’s academy director.
He earned his first senior football role as head coach of Belgian second tier club Lommel SK, where he led the side to a third-place finish, before returning to the UK as head coach of League One’s Milton Keynes Dons.
Before joining Bristol City, Manning had an eight-month stint with Oxford United, guiding them to second place in League One at the time of his departure.
Manning has signed a contract through to the summer of 2029, with a further update on the appointment of his backroom staff to follow in due course.
Speaking to canaries.co.uk, Manning said: “I’m privileged and honoured to have the opportunity to work for this fantastic football club. It’s a wonderful club with a big history and tradition.
“When I spoke to Ben and the owners about the opportunity here, I was really impressed by their vision and strategy for moving the club forward. I felt a clear alignment in how they want to play and develop players – that is something I was really excited to be a part of.
“It’s clear, there has already been a lot of valuable groundwork laid in recent seasons – it’s now important we build further on that and move the club forward.
“I’m really excited to meet the supporters and will do everything possible to give them a club they can be proud of.”
Sporting director Ben Knapper said: “We’re all thrilled to welcome Liam and his family to Norwich City. This is an exciting appointment, and we are so happy to get it over the line and have him on board.
“It quickly became clear that Liam’s ambitions match our own and we are all committed to driving this club forward towards our targets. Liam knows the league, has consistently demonstrated an ability to outperform resources and his approach aligns with our footballing ideas and strategy.
“He is an exceptionally bright coach who will push himself, and everyone around him, to develop and improve. We are so excited to have him as a key part of our club.”
📣 Liam Manning will leave his role as #BristolCity Head Coach to join Norwich City with immediate effect.
Full statement: 👇
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) June 3, 2025
BRISTOL CITY STATEMENT:
Liam Manning will leave his role as Bristol City Head Coach to join Norwich City with immediate effect.
In his first full season at Ashton Gate Manning guided the Robins to their first play-off campaign in 17 years.
Manning will now leave for Carrow Road ahead of the 2025/26 season after the Canaries met the release clause in his Robins’ contract.
Chairman Jon Lansdown said: “We are disappointed to lose Liam after such a successful campaign.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to Liam for his hard work and commitment over the past 18 months and the memories we have made together and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
“We are assessing all options as we look to replace Liam.”
The club will provide a further update in due course.
This is how fans reacted as Liam Manning speaks for first time after leaving Bristol City for Norwich…
@RobinNestBCFC: Over it already – just make a timely and sensible appointment… Rob Edwards, Gary O’Neil, Ruben Selles and Mousinho will do nicely. Bosh.
@Dwatts10_: Ta da, could have been sacked before Christmas. Excited to see who we get in.
@15mel03: Don’t blame Liam, I blame those upstairs, now soften the blow by announcing tinnion has left
@bcfcspud: About time, now and onwards and upwards. No one is bigger than the club and we’ve got good options available. You reds
@alexmarshy21: Bye bye. Now make the right appointment
@DWyattHupton: Really happy to have Liam Manning in the building. More I’ve read about him, the more I’ve liked. As the statement said, he’s always outproduced in comparison to the resources and now he’ll get considerably more resources to work with. #NCFC
@mattjohnson333: Happy folks? I am. Obviously I was with Hoff too but I just have a better feeling about this. Not remotely saying we will get promoted or even play offs imo but I have a better feeling long term this appointment will prove a success. #ncfc
@bcfcol: Wouldn’t get too excited lads he’ll be off somewhere else at the first chance he gets 🐍
@NickyNatchyNoo: Wish Liam all the best, had a tough time personally at City and the whole fan base supported him. Will always remember his pointless like for like subs on the hour each week. Time to support the next man now.
@Artful_Walker: It was great to be involved all the way to the end of the season but I for one are more excited by a new manager than another season under Manning, hopefully with our squad and the promise of a new forward we can appoint a better calibre manager who changes formations & gambles
@RobertC_Robins1: Best of luck Liam. Thank you for everything you’ve done and the memories you’ve created for us over the last 18 months. You gave everything you could for us and you’ll always be welcome at the Gate. Being close to family is important. See you at Gate to take 3 points off you!
