Bristol City are set to confirm the appointment of Oxford United manager Liam Manning as the club’s replacement for Nigel Pearson, according to Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports.
Manning has experienced a strong start to life at the Kassam Stadium so far this season, with his side sat in the automatic promotion places but it appears as though the challenge of the Championship has proven to be impossible to turn down.
The 38-year-old has earned a significantly positive reputation for his time as manager of both MK Dons and Oxford United, including taking the former to the League One play-offs whilst developing players such as Scott Twine and Harry Darling, both of whom now play in the Championship.
Manning arrived at the Kassam Stadium as a replacement for Karl Robinson but has since enjoyed an excellent spell with the club. He’s taken control of 28 matches so far, earning points in 20 of those games and averages 1.64 points per game.
At the time of writing, Oxford United sit second in the Championship after earning 32 points from their first 15 league games, winning ten of them. The side are already eight points ahead of seventh place and three clear in the top two.
Elsewhere, Bristol City had enjoyed a strong start to the season but have since slipped down the table as they sit 11th in the standings, four points outside of the play-off places.
Posting an update on Bristol City’s managerial pursuit, Dorsett stated in a Twitter post…
‘Liam Manning expected to be confirmed as new Bristol City head coach in the next 48hrs, I’m told.
‘Manning’s Oxford are 2nd in Lg1, but Bristol City job too tempting for him. Agreement now between the two clubs over compensation. Fits BC’s bill of a young, progressive head coach’
Writer’s View
Bristol City have a very exciting squad and the appointment of Liam Manning is a major coup for the Championship side especially given how well he’s done at Oxford United so far this season.
Manning has earned himself a strong reputation during his time in the EFL so far and this move is an excellent addition for the Championship side.