Bristol City are on the hunt for a new head coach after Liam Manning’s move to Norwich City was confirmed by the Robins

20:13, 03 Jun 2025Updated 20:18, 03 Jun 2025

Ruben Selles, Rob Edwards and Gary O’Neil have all been linked with the Bristol City job(Image: Getty Images)

Former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has emerged as the early bookies favourite to take over as Bristol City’s new head coach after the Robins confirmed the departure of Liam Manning on Tuesday evening.

The Reds announced in an official statement that Manning would be leaving his position in BS3 with immediate effect to take over the reins at Norwich City, who have been without a head coach since April following the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Edwards’ name has been put forward by numerous supporters since news broke of the Canaries’ interest in Manning and Bristol Live understands the 42-year-old would be interested in returning to the West Country where he previously took charge of Forest Green Rovers.

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The former Luton head coach has been without a club since leaving Kenilworth Road in January. Although Edwards has been involved in back-to-back relegations in his last two seasons with the Hatters, he was the man to steer them into the top flight as play-off winners in the 2022/23 campaign.

That isn’t the only promotion the 42-year-old has to his name either. Before his short period in charge of Luton’s local rivals Watford, which lasted just 10 Championship matches, Edwards guided Forest Green Rovers to League One for the first time in their history when they were promoted out of League Two as champions in the 2021/22 campaign.

As always, bookmaker odds have to be taken with a pinch of salt when it comes to managerial searches. Although sources close to Edwards have made his interest known, it is unclear whether or not such interest is reciprocated by the Robins.

However, the former Forest Green boss is the early favourite at this stage, being priced at 1/3 at the time of writing.

Former City midfielder Gary O’Neil and ex-Hull City boss Ruben Selles are second-favourites at 6/1. O’Neil spent two seasons at Ashton Gate as a player towards the end of his career, making 36 appearances in red and white in all competitions before joining Bolton where he ultimately retired.

Since hanging up his boots, the former midfielder has enjoyed spells in charge of both Bournemouth and Wolves but has been out of work since departing Molineux late last year. Selles on the other hand has been without a club since the end of the season just gone, having been sacked by Hull City despite helping them avoid relegation from the Championship on the final day of the season.

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Just behind that pairing, former Watford boss Tom Cleverley is in the mix at 8/1 while Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho sits at 10/1.

Then, the odds start to get even longer with a handful of other names also linked. Des Buckingham, Jack Wilshere and Luke Williams are all priced at 12/1, while Sean Dyche, Steve Cooper and Ian Evatt are outsiders at 16/1.

Finally, there is a trio priced at a rather long 20/1. The make-up of that group is former Southampton and Swansea City head coach Russell Martin, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and QPR boss, albeit on gardening leave, Marti Cifuentes.

When Manning’s departure was announced, City chairman Jon Lansdown was quick to say the Robins were “assessing all options” as they looked to replace their outgoing head coach, with it currently unclear how long such a process may take.

Early bookies favourites to be next Bristol City manager in full*

  • Rob Edwards – 1/3
  • Ruben Selles, Gary O’Neil – 6/1
  • Tom Cleverley – 8/1
  • John Mousinho 10/1
  • Des Buckingham, Jack Wilshere, Luke Williams – 12/1
  • Sean Dyche, Steve Cooper, Ian Evatt – 16/1
  • Russell Martin, Danny Rohl, Marti Cifuentes – 20/1

*odds provided by Oddschecker and are correct at the time of writing

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