Top six favourites to become new Oxford manager as Bristol City appoint U’s head coach

The top six favourites to become new Oxford United manager have been revealed as Bristol City appoint U’s head coach Liam Manning.

Bristol City confirm the appointment of the 38 year old, who comes in as replacement for the departed Nigel Pearson ready for the trip to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Assistant head coach Chris Hogg is also leaving the League One outfit, with Craig Short taking on the role of interim head coach, supported by ex-player and current academy coach Chris Hackett.

Our new Head Coach. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Ypo8QyeRA6

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) November 7, 2023

Welcome to Bristol City Liam Manning! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/CwuBBVLsUA

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) November 7, 2023

BRISTOL CITY STATEMENT:

Bristol City have appointed Liam Manning as Head Coach on a three-and-half-year contract until June 2027.

Manning joins from Oxford United along with Chris Hogg, who will become Assistant Head Coach.

Bristol City Chairman Jon Lansdown said: “Liam is a great fit for the club and the style of play we want. He has a very detailed approach to coaching, improving players and getting the best out of them as his record at MK Dons and Oxford United shows, while he has valuable experience within the (Manchester) City Group and in Belgium.

“As soon as we made the change Liam was our first choice and we are grateful to Oxford United for the extremely professional way they have approached the departure of someone who was doing a fantastic job for them.

“We are excited about the arrival of Liam and Chris and fulfilling the ambition we all have for the club with this talented and committed group of players.”

Manning said: “This is a terrific opportunity and one that I’m really looking forward to. If you look at the vision of the club and where they want to get to and how they want to get there I think there is really good fit and alignment with my journey and where I want to get to.”

Manning is excited about working with the group of players he met for the first time today, saying: “You want players that you can coach and are mouldable and on an upward trajectory in their career. I think that brings certain behaviours in terms of drive, intensity and ambition which align with how we want to work.”

Oxford United can confirm that Head Coach Liam Manning is to leave the club with immediate effect after deciding to join Bristol City.

Full details ⤵

🟡🔵 #OUFC | #COYY

— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) November 7, 2023

OXFORD STATEMENT:

Oxford United can confirm that Head Coach Liam Manning is to leave the club with immediate effect after deciding to join Bristol City. Also departing is his assistant Chris Hogg.

Men’s First Team Coach Craig Short will take on the role of interim Head Coach, supported by former player and current Academy Coach Chris Hackett.

Chairman Grant Ferguson said, “We reluctantly gave Bristol City permission to speak with Liam after he indicated he wanted to discuss their vacant managerial position with them.

“The club did everything it could to keep him here, but we move on and the project continues. Our focus now is to quickly appoint Liam’s successor and support Craig as interim Head Coach.”

Tim Williams, Oxford United’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “I am hugely disappointed to be losing Liam and Chris at this stage of the season, particularly given the support they had been given.

“However, we have already begun the process of securing the best possible candidate to replace Liam. This is a fantastic club with great training facilities and an exciting future – I have no doubt we will have huge interest in the role.”

TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW OXFORD MANAGER

BetVictor – 7 Nov – 3:30pm
John Eustace – 5/1
Garry Monk – 6/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 6/1
Danny Cowley – 6/1
Des Buckingham – 8/1
Craig Short – 8/1

BetVictor – 7 Nov – 5:00pm
John Eustace – 5/1
Danny Cowley – 6/1
Steve Cotterill – 8/1
Garry Monk – 8/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 8/1
Des Buckingham – 10/1

BetVictor – 7 Nov – 8:00pm
Des Buckingham – 4/1
John Eustace – 5/1
Danny Cowley – 6/1
Steve Cotterill – 8/1
Craig Short – 10/1
Luke Williams – 12/1

BetVictor – 8 Nov – 2:00pm
Frank Lampard – 6/4
Des Buckingham – 4/1
Steve Cotterill – 8/1
Dean Holden – 8/1
John Eustace – 8/1
Danny Cowley – 12/1

BetVictor – 9 Nov – 7:00pm
Paddy McCarthy – 2/1
Frank Lampard – 2/1
Des Buckingham – 6/1
Dean Holden – 8/1
Chris Wilder – 8/1
John Eustace – 10/1

BetVictor – 11 Nov – 9:00am
Frank Lampard – 4/1
Paddy McCarthy – 4/1
Des Buckingham – 6/1
Chris Wilder – 8/1
Dean Holden – 12/1
John Eustace – 12/1

Here’s what fans had to say with the top six favourites to become new Oxford manager revealed as Bristol City appoint U’s head coach Liam Manning…

@IsaacOUFC: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out

@AubsEFC1985: Disappointing to say the least, club backed him to the hilt and he’s jumped at first opportunity, proof that loyalty doesn’t exist in football. All empty words, shame as he’s a decent manager. Need to get this next appointment bang on

@AVaughan87: Disappointed in Manning. We move on. Nobody is bigger than the club.

@JMPOX1: No loyalty to the club after the board gave him a lifeline since he got sacked from MK and the team he built there went down to league 2. Good riddance. Plenty more managers out there who would love the opportunity here.

@markltyler: Tosser hope it goes massively tits up for him 🐍

@Goodo1977: One of the best teams Lincoln have faced this season! Keep the nucleus of the players and employ a Head Coach with the same beliefs and I’m sure it will be business as usual! UTI!

@ChrisDarley88: Really sad but wish him well. Certainly made an impact over the summer and brought a really positive feel to the club last few months. Can’t blame him for taking up the opportunity. Now up to the board to find the right appointment

@isalouald: Let’s get behind the team and those in interim charge!

@J4CKOX1986: wanker, no loyalty whatsoever😤

@billyoufc: When they say managers don’t get enough time in a job it’s bollocks I hope it fails badly for him

@aps6000: Let’s hope the board don’t take as long to find the new manager as they did with KR and LM or all momentum will be lost. Presumably the club had the foresight to include a clause that he can’t take our players in January

@LawrenceAfford: Ooof, judging by the comments from Grant and Tim it doesn’t look like the board are happy!

@G_Lock75: This leaves a very sour taste. He was here for the project, heavily backed in the summer, talked about honesty, integrity and his values. Then he jumps ship at the first opportunity, just shows it was all bollocks and sound bites. He’s gone down massively in my estimations.

@Banky_50710: This is very disappointing 💔

@DannyCrockford: Good riddance if he jumps at the first opportunity….

@steph_bumford: Honestly, pure fuming about this

@Stuartjamess: Pathetic from Manning really. No loyalty shown & the club backed him big time in the summer. Good job we have 2 weeks after Saturday to regroup and get someone in.

@Carl271071: That’s very disappointing for all Oxford supporters. Liam was building something great their this season and now they are back to zero

@CAFCAdam: Mad to be doing as well as he is with Oxford and then give it up for Bristol City lmao