Oxford United boss Liam Manning is being considered as a potential replacement for Nigel Pearson at Championship side Bristol City, according to Bristol Live.
The 38-year-old manager is reportedly one of the names being considered for the vacant position after impressing so far this season for Oxford. Pearson was sacked by Bristol City last week, in what many considered to be a shock decision after 131 games at the club. His final game in charge was a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City in the league which ended a run of five defeats in his final eight games.
Manning’s Oxford United have impressed so far this season, with a progressive attacking style of play that The U’s sitting top of the scoring charts in League One. They occupy second place, three points behind leaders Portsmouth after comprehensively beating managerless Lincoln City during the week.
Jon Lansdown, chairman of Bristol Rovers and Brian Tinnion are putting an emphasis on finding a coach that can play a progressive style of football which Manning is known for. His MK Dons side reached the play-offs, missing out on promotion by a single point but were ultimately beaten by Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-final.
The bookmakers BetVictor currently have Frank Lampard as the favourite for the job, alongside former Birmingham City boss John Eustace and Notts County manager Luke Williams. Gary Rowett, Steve Cotterill and Dean Smith are all also in the odds.
Writer’s View
Manning’s journey at Oxford has only just begun, he is sitting second in the league with a team that he largely built and can play his style, I highly doubt he would jump ship now. Bristol are set up to play a Pearson style, which is the antithesis of how the former MK Dons boss sets up his side and with the strength of the Championship this year it is unlikely that he will manage to turn the club around significantly to gain promotion, which he could do this year for Oxford, although in a lower league.