Bristol City are seeking Liam Manning’s replacement as head coach with the search process expected to step up in the next few days
Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter
11:36, 09 Jun 2025
Gerhard Struber spent just under a year as Barnsley manager(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Bristol City are on the hunt for a new head coach after Liam Manning’s departure for Norwich City was officially confirmed last week following ongoing speculation.
There is optimism that his replacement can be found by the end of this week with interviews expected to take place over the coming days.
A number of names have already been linked to the vacancy with former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards the first to emerge following confirmation of Manning’s departure. The 42-year-old has also been linked with Middlesbrough following the sacking of Michael Carrick.
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Edwards is currently priced at 3/1, but is the bookmaker’s second-favourite for the job at this moment in time with former Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber, leading the way at 2/1.
Struber spent just shy of a year in the Oakwell dugout, leading the Tykes to Championship survival in the 2019/20 season before departing in October 2020.
He then had spells at Red Bull outfits New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg before joining Cologne in the German second tier ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The Austrian was sensationally sacked by the Billy Goats with two games left to play and promotion to the Bundesliga in clear view. They since secured a return to the German top-flight.
Elsewhere, Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens is amongst the favourites at 4/1. The 45-year-old led to O’s to the League One play-off final where they were beaten 1-0 by Charlton Athletic. He previously had a spell in the West Country at Swindon Town, guiding them to promotion from League Two on points-per-game in the curtailed 2019/20 season.
Another current League One boss is also being linked to the job in Dave Challinor, whose Stockport County side were beaten by Wellens’ Orient on penalties in the play-off semi-finals, despite finishing third in League One.
Recently-dismissed former Middlesbrough manager Carrick is also in the mix, as is current City goalkeeping coach Pat Mountain, who are 8/1 alongside Challinor.
Steven Gerrard is another well known name who is a slight outsider at this moment in time at 12/1. The Liverpool legend was most recently manager of Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq having also been in charge of Aston Villa and Rangers previously.
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One lesser known name though is 40-year-old Jurgen Samuel, who has emerged at 10/1. Like Struber, Samuel is Austrian and is currently head coach of Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga which has been his first managerial role. They finished top of the division before missing out on the title in the play-offs. He does have a City link as Robins striker Fally Mayulu joined Sturm Graz on loan in the second half of last season.
As always with bookies odds, they have to be taken with a pinch of salt as there is not necessarily a direct correlation between odds and individuals’ actual chances of getting the job.
Latest Bristol City next head coach odds
- Gerhard Struber – 2/1
- Rob Edwards – 3/1
- Richie Wellens – 4/1
- Michael Carrick, Dave Challinor, Pat Mountain – 8/1
- Jurgen Samuel – 10/1
- Steven Gerrard – 12/1
*odds are provided by Oddschecker and are correct at the time of writing
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