Liam Manning guided Bristol City to a first Championship play-off finish in 17 years during the 2024/25 seasonLiam Manning joined Bristol City in 2023(Image: Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Bristol City have received an approach from their Championship rivals Norwich City for head coach Liam Manning, Bristol Live understands, with the Canaries close to appointing the Robins’ boss.

Reports emerged over the bank holiday weekend that Manning, who led City to their first Championship play-off finish in 17 years last season, is close to being named as Johannes Hoff Thorup’s successor at Carrow Road, having first been linked with the vacancy just over a week ago.

The Reds’ head coach is understood to be the Norfolk club’s top target despite suggestions former City midfielder Gary O’Neil and Jurgen Klopp’s former Liverpool assistant Pep Ljinders were also on the Canaries’ shortlist.

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Bristol Live understands the Canaries are also interested in bringing Chris Hogg and James Krause, members of Manning’s backroom team to Norfolk as well. At this stage, no deal has been agreed for either member of staff and the Reds would be entitled to compensation for their services.

Manning took charge at Ashton Gate in November 2023, succeeding Nigel Pearson in the BS3 dugout. Having guided the Robins to an 11th-place finish in his first campaign in the West Country, the Reds started the 2024/25 season in a mixed fashion. However, an impressive run of form, particularly at home, following the turn of the year saw City end their 17-year absence from the top six.

In the end, City’s season came to an unfortunate end as they suffered a record 6-0 aggregate defeat against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off semi-final, a game which looks set to be Manning’s last in charge of the Reds.

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At the time of writing, Bristol Live understands Norwich have made contact with the Robins over Manning. While no deal has been completed at this stage, it seems likely Manning will make the move to Carrow Road, with the Canaries reportedly willing to match the release clause in his City contract.

Reports from The Telegraph suggest Norwich would have to pay the Robins’ compensation in the region of £800,000 for Manning’s signature after he put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal at Ashton Gate in November 2023.

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