What Liam Manning has said about Harry Darling as Norwich City chase Swansea star

What Liam Manning has said about Harry Darling as Norwich City chase Swansea star

After finishing sixth in the second division in 2023–24 under David Wagner, the Canaries have only just managed to snap their current hiatus after being demoted from the Premier League in 2022.

After finishing inside the play-offs with Bristol City and losing to Sheffield United 6-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, the East Anglian team has decided to bring Manning back to his home state of Norfolk. Since then, both the German and his successor, Johannes Hoff Thorup, have been fired.

Tyrhys Dolan has been linked to a move to the club as his contract with Blackburn Rovers is about to expire, and there has already been a lot of transfer rumour circulating around Carrow Road, mostly in the form of exit talk as intense interest in top strikers Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent continues to grow.

Another player with a good Championship background, Harry Darling, is now out of contract and has been linked to a move to Norwich as well as impending divisional rivals Birmingham City and Wrexham. The Blades have also previously pursued Darling.

Manning is familiar with the 25-year-old from their time together at MK Dons. The 39-year-old was hired in Buckinghamshire a few months after the center-back left Cambridge United, and FLW recalls the compliments he received from the new Canaries manager as the aforementioned connections come to light.

The defender had signed with former Norwich cult hero Russell Martin seven months before Manning was named head coach of Stadium MK in August 2021.

Under Manning, Darling flourished in his first and only full season with the Dons, winning numerous accolades alongside center-forward Mo Eisa and Scott Twine, who scored 20 league goals.

The player, who was born in Cambridge, has consistently impressed Swansea City with his ability to play with the ball, his poise, and his threat from offensive set pieces. With seven goals, he became the team’s fourth-highest league scorer. He added three more goals in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy to reach double figures in 49 games in all competitions.

For a reported sum of more than £1 million on a three-year contract, Darling would next rejoin the previously mentioned Martin in South Wales, and he undoubtedly did so with Manning’s approval.

In August 2022, he informed MK’s official club channels, “Harry goes with our best wishes and I’m sure he’ll continue on an upward trajectory.”

“He had an amazing season with us, and I have nothing but praise for him—both as a player and as a person. This is the club’s mission, as everyone is aware, and we demonstrated our ability to handle it last summer when Twiney replaced Scott Fraser. In January, we did so once more.

Despite the fact that both Birmingham and Wrexham are anticipated to make significant squad investments and are predicted by many to have successful seasons right after promotion, Norwich may have a good chance of acquiring Darling given his prior success under Manning.

Harry Darling EFL apps (as per Fotmob)
Club	Apps	Goals	Assists
Swansea City	112	12	6
MK Dons	72	10	1
Cambridge United	71	3	3

His defensive skills make it obvious given City’s defensive struggles from the previous season, when they gave up 68 goals, the fifth-highest in the division and just one less than relegated Luton Town. He would also be able to quickly adapt to the style of play that would be implemented at Carrow Road.

In addition, Darling has scored 12 goals in 108 Championship games thus far, demonstrating his offensive prowess. If the Canaries are to launch a sustained play-off challenge during Manning’s first season—which will undoubtedly be the goal given his accomplishments at Ashton Gate—they must score goals from all angles, especially because Norwich is anticipated to lose Sainz and Sargent, who scored 33 of their 71 goals last season.

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