Speculation regarding the future of Bristol City manager Liam Manning is mounting following reports that two teams could be targeting him to become their next head coach this summer.

Journalist Ben Jacobs claims that the 39-year-old Robins boss is “a candidate for the Norwich City job” after it was recently confirmed that interim coach Jack Wilshere would not be offered the role on a full-time basis after the end of the season.

In addition, “several clubs” are said to be interested, with soon-to-be relegated Leicester City also linked with a bid for the coach who took Bristol City into the play-offs.

Norwich and Leicester look to Liam Manning as job hunts intensify

Norwich City, who finished 13th in the 2024/25 Championship table, have been without a permanent head coach since sacking Johannes Hoff Thorup in late April, and are in the process of finding a replacement after passing over former Arsenal player Wilshere, who stepped in after Thorup’s dismissal.

According to Jacobs, Manning is under consideration alongside the likes of former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders and ex-Wolves and Bournemouth coach Gary O’Neil.

Furthermore, Leicester – who had previously been reported to have Manning on their shortlist – are expected to be in the market for a new head coach after the end of the Premier League season, with current manager Ruud van Nistelrooy likely to be fired once a disappointed campaign is completed next Sunday.

Last season’s second-tier champions struggled in the top flight, but both Leicester and Norwich operate with bigger budgets than Bristol City and their status and financial clout could combine to make them a tempting proposition for managers of rival clubs, including Manning. The Robins managed to finish in the play-off places despite being unable to sign new players in January due to budgetary constraints, a situation less likely to occur at either Carrow Road or the King Power Stadium.

Manning departure would be a bitter blow for Bristol City

Manning has been hugely impressive since taking the reins at Ashton Gate in 2023, leading the team into the top six in his first full season despite operating on a relatively limited budget.

Although the Robins were defeated by Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals, the club’s sixth-placed finish represented their best league placing since the 2007/08 season, when they finished fourth under Gary Johnson. His success at Bristol City, coupled with a strong track record from his time with former clubs Oxford United, MK Dons and Lommel, has made him a popular candidate for rival sides who have ambitions of playing Premier League football in the near future.

Manning, who was born in Norwich and spent three years in their youth academy at the start of his playing career, has yet to comment about his future following the 6-0 aggregate loss to the Blades, and it is unclear whether he would consider approaches from other clubs. Bristol City have their head coach under contract until 2027 along with his assistant Chris Hogg, and would be able to demand considerable compensation should Manning wish to move to a different team.

Read more on;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk