Oxford confirm appointment of 37 year old head coach as Karl Robinson speaks on being sacked

Oxford United confirm the appointment of 37 year old head coach Liam Manning, with the club issuing a statement on Saturday.

MK Dons got rid of the him back in December, and although this season has been an underwhelming season for both clubs, Manning led his team to third place in 2021/22, sitting just one point behind second-placed Rotherham.

His side then lost 2-1 to Wycombe at the playoff semi final, (2-0 Wycombe first leg, 1-0 MK second leg) with Manning’s team described by Vital Football, Oxford United, to have been a free-flowing, attacking and high-scoring side, who were comfortable in possession.

This saw Manning earn a Manager of the Month award just 11 league games into his tenure after claiming 11 points in five matches and then won it again in January.

Oxford currently sit 18th in the League One table, with 36 points from 35 games played, and three points above the drop zone.

A number of managers were tipped for the job, the likes of Grant McCann alleged just yesterday to become the new Oxford manager, though that now seems unlikely unless a U-turn.

Michael Appleton, former U’s boss, was also in the running while Craig Short, caretaker manager, had also expressed interest. Even Jermain Defoe was a name thrown out there. Odds also shortened on Nathan Jones.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Oxford United are delighted to confirm that Liam Manning has agreed to become the club’s new Head Coach.

Liam, 37, first came to prominence as coach of the West Ham under-23 side before joining City Football Group and becoming first Director of Coaching at New York City FC and then Head Coach at Lommel FC in Belgium. Liam then enjoyed a successful spell at MK Dons where he guided the club to the play-off semi-final in his first season.

He will be joined by Chris Hogg as Assistant Manager at the club and they will work alongside the existing coaching staff of Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown. Craig will be in charge for today’s home game against Derby before Liam takes up his new role on Monday morning.

Chairman Grant Ferguson said:

“Liam has a fantastic reputation as a coach and for helping to develop young players. His sides play with a sense of identity and purpose and play attacking football and that is something that Oxford United have always tried to do.

“We had an outstanding list of candidates and as promised we went through a rigorous recruitment process but Liam was our unanimous choice. We would also like to welcome Chris and thank Craig and the staff who have all worked so hard over the last couple of weeks and who I am sure will be a huge help to Liam and Chris as we all try to turn results around this season and then build for the future.”

Meanwhile, manager Karl Robinson has spoken out for the first time since his sacking.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live, as per the Oxford Mail: “The decision was correct. I don’t have any gripes. Results over last two months have been really poor.

“I loved every second there and wish them all the luck in the world.

“When you are in the middle of something, you are on a rollercoaster and you don’t know sometimes what way to turn.

“You know results aren’t good, you know you’ve got one or two games left.

“When you get that phone call on a Sunday morning you do get that moment when your stomach does drop a little bit and from there you have to accept the consequences of the results.

“We all know when we enter this industry, especially as a manager, that being sacked is all part and parcel of it and that’s unfortunate for us, for me personally, but the results were nowhere near good enough.

In recent months, Robinson spoke openly about the abuse his family were receiving from fans as results worsened.

He added: “My daughter got constant criticism on Instagram and some horrendous things sent to her over the last two, three months.

“I’m sick and tired of the old ‘it’s part and parcel, you get paid to do it’ – we get paid to take criticism, but our families don’t get paid to listen to that.

“When you go into a football club that’s your moment to change things and be dynamic in all of the things you want to do.

This is what fans said as Oxford United get set to confirm the appointment of 37 year old head coach Liam Manning…

@Steviegilbert3: I love how everyone is saying it’s the cheap option like they know how much every manager that was interviewed wanted and how much we are paying Manning 😂 #OUFC

@jack64245959: Liam Manning is an interesting one. Did very well at MK last season, but that squad was very good (Twine, Eisa, Darling, Parrott etc), however lost most of those this season and had a shocker. Our squad isn’t much better than MK’s this season. #oufc

@joelvoysey: MK Dons last season were the most technically accomplished side for some years in the third tier. Obviously has an eye for a player and a clear vision for how he wants to play. If the job is his he’l need to temper his style for results in the short term but could be good for us

@Laurencereade: Quite happy with Liam Manning. An excellent coach, let down at MK by the best players all being sold. Big task in the short term, but with good recruitment, should do well for us. #OUFC

@dan_willo94: Poor bloke hasn’t even started yet and fans are already moaning, can’t win with some people give the bloke a chance and get behind the team! #OUFC

@TimCotton81: Tbf he did really well last season but maybe slightly carried by Twine. Was always going to be hard for them this season losing twine, darling and others

@dayzed22: I honestly didn’t think it would be him (mainly because I’d only seen headlines of his sacking at MK), but reading a bit more about him, it actually seems like an appointment that makes sense.

@JonathanRadburn: Last season we would have absolutely loved to have Manning. Will hopefully return us to a free flowing attack minded style of football.

@bensteck: The style his MK side played last year was superb. Clearly a very modern tactically aware head coach. Admittedly it didn’t go well this year for him at MK but I’m sure he’s learned a lot from that & is a better coach as a result with a lot to prove. Let’s get ourselves safe!

@oufcgoldengreen: That’s a very poor appointment if true, cheap option from our uninterested board… he got sacked by MK for being in bottom 4, but then Mcann and Mapp last few results were poor too.

@bone_1986: I hope he doesn’t try the crazy over playing at the back that MK played under him, especially with our keeper and centre backs.

@ADawsonBros: Good luck to Liam Manning! Plays the kind of football we like to watch. One warning though – if he gets us doing those MK goal kicks where the keeper goes out wide, we’re going to need more defibrillators in the South Stand Upper. #oufc

@JordanT1985: Just about the most underwhelming decision possible! The guys record at MK does not inspire me to believe he can take this team forwards and I fear relegation is nailed on now

@bone_1986: I hope he doesn’t try the crazy over playing at the back that MK played under him, especially with our keeper and centre backs.

@samnort98518028: Very underwhelming, was really hoping for McCann, thought he was definitely the better option. Not sure what to think of this yet, we’ll see

@oufcstevens18: Got to give the bloke a chance his first season made very good signings and got them to the play offs and then key players being sold. He has clearly impressed via the interview process beating the likes of McCann , maps or is he the cheap option ??

@stumpyjoe69: Nobody wanted Robbo and he got us to one kick from the Championship. Manning is a suitable replacement for a football club that does things the right way and is as ambitious as he is

@jamessordillo:
Replies and quote tweets to this show some fans:
1. don’t do research about someone/something before tweeting
2. Assume that everyone would want the Oxford job
3. That he’s taking the job for a bag of haribo for pay
4. Would moan even if we appointed Pep Guardiola

@JPlumby_: Could be a great long term appointment if supported correctly. Just has to keep us up first which I’m not so sure about #oufc

@redjules1965: Come on You Yellows, if he is to be Manager we need to support him and our team, Liam you would be welcome 💛💙👍

@OTG_UK: CFG alumni, a fantastic MK team last year before it was sold from under him. Packed full of ideas and develops young players. Provided he’s allowed a proper coaching team and recruitment is overhauled it’s a really exciting appointment! As long as he can keep us up 😂 #OUFC

@BenOnWheelss: Modern day head coach appointment is a nice move during the summer with a transfer window to bring in the players to fit a philosophy. I hope he has it in him to save a team in turmoil with just a few months of a season left!

@tom_hext: Feels like the high-risk high-reward option. I’d of been more confident of us staying up with some of the other candidates but if we do then I think he can achieve more than others. Suggests the new head of recruitment will be given more control than Thomas had #oufc

@lukeoufcbodily: Well let’s get behind him and get those 10 points we need, stay up then mount a proper challange next season #OUFC

@HarryCallaghan_: The worst choice given some of the options it’s a huge gamble one good season with what was arguable Russell Martins team and when it came to rebuilding he failed massively #OUFC

@Stuartjamess: Liam Manning’s Yellow Army! Happy with that. Young, Exciting coach who will approach things in a modern way & was very unlucky not to take MK to automatic promotion last season. Deserves a chance & let’s get fully behind him.

@LukeMeehan8:
Do I think it’s a good appointment – No.
Will I back him and the team yes – Yes.
Will I be happy if he proves me wrong – Yes
Get behind the boys, Liam Mannings Yellow army 💛 #oufc

@Theo_Woollard: After getting over the disappointment of Appleton coming back, I think Manning could be a good appointment. My main concern is that he is very much a head coach so needs a solid structure around him to help with recruitment etc. I hope that is coming too. #oufc

@GeorgeDugdale: An encouraging thing about Liam Manning is that he’s a coach who you put within a sensible recruitment structure. With the tools, I think he could be fantastic. There’s a decent shout to be pragmatic this season though. Not sure I can handle mad goalkicks at the moment. #oufc

@himynameiswalks: Would be buzzing to see Manning appointed, was one of the managers I wanted from the beginning. Had MK playing some brilliant football last season before having his players sold last summer #oufc

@benjwyatt: Liam Manning is an excellent young coach who plays attacking & exciting football which is what we as a fan base have grown to love. He was wanted by several championship clubs in the summer. Give the bloke a chance and let’s enjoy the ride! #OUFC

@DaveClarke42: No idea how Mannings tenure at #OUFC will play out. Those already declaring it a shitshow and embarrassment need to take a break. One thing for sure his first 11 games are as important as any new manager we’ve had. He needs a team to come out to a loud and United fanbase #COYY

@snellgrove97: Took over an average Mk side and turned them into one of the best in league 1 last season. Had players sold from underneath his feet and wasn’t heavily backed. Young exciting manager who may not be what we need to get us safe, but if he does, it leads for an exciting summer. Exciting football, plays out from the back and gets the crowd on their feet. Back the bloke. Club needs the fans more than ever over the next few weeks

@oxfordkits: I don’t understand all the negativity? After MK got to playoffs was linked with a move to a number of Champ clubs. Had most of his best players sold from under his feet, hence MKs drop in form. Even when sacked, he was being linked with other big clubs. Great appointment #oufc 👍