Liam Manning, the new Bristol City manager, has explained his decision to leave League One club Oxford United and embrace the challenge of managing a Championship side. Manning, who succeeded Nigel Pearson, ended his eight-month tenure at Oxford United, where he played a crucial role in steering the club away from relegation last season, leaving them currently in the second position with 32 points from 15 games this season.
In his first press conference with Bristol City, Manning revealed that he consulted with trusted individuals, including his wife and colleagues in the football world, before making the decision to move on. He emphasized the importance of the alignment between his coaching philosophy, the playing group at Bristol City, and his vision for how teams should play.
Reflecting on his brief stint at Oxford, Manning acknowledged the progress made during his time and stated that he wouldn’t have left for just any club. He highlighted the significance of the connection with the playing group at Bristol City and how it resonated with his approach to the game.
From the writer’s perspective, Manning’s departure from Oxford United may have surprised fans given the club’s strong position under his management. However, it is acknowledged that he leaves the club in a better state than when he took over. For Bristol City, a team that has been a mid-table side in the Championship, the hope is that Manning can guide them toward promotion. Time will tell whether he can replicate his success with the new club, but he is expected to be given the necessary time to demonstrate his ability to enhance the club’s performance.
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