Norwich and Bristol City close to Manning deal – reports.

According to sources in the West Country, Norwich City and Bristol City are close to agreeing on Liam Manning as the Canaries’ next head coach. Talks between the teams began on Tuesday and have focused on the Canaries paying Manning’s release clause, which is estimated to be worth roughly £800,000, after naming the 39-year-old as their top priority to succeed Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Both ITV and the Bristol Post are saying that, after days of calm and fruitful talks, white smoke is about to emerge, with the clubs likely to clinch an agreement that will see Manning and his close coaching companions Chris Hogg and James Krause relocate to City. An official announcement of Manning’s move is likely in the coming days, with Norwich currently confirming the details with the trio and their representatives.

Manning and Norwich have both shown a desire to retain Hogg and Krause, who had previously worked with him at Oxford United and Bristol City. They will leave Ashton Gate having led the Robins to the play-offs, capping a 17-year wait for a top-six finish. City has been without a head coach since Thorup’s resignation in April, and Manning has been identified as the finest candidate to lead them ahead. Norwich also spoke with former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders and former Bournemouth and Wolves manager Gary O’Neil as part of their overall process. Ben Knapper, the sporting director, also contacted three unknown overseas coaches.

Manning’s long-time assistant, Chris Hogg, is also set to follow him at Norwich City. (Image: PA.) Manning is said to have been City’s first option throughout, and he is said to be enthused by the possibility of the football challenge of the post, as well as the apparent local ties. He is likely to become only the second Norfolk-born coach to hold the top position at Carrow Road, and the first since Dave Stringer in 1987. No City manager has ever been born in Norwich, and Manning is set to become the first.

Manning, who took over for Nigel Pearson in November 2023, will leave Bristol City after 82 games in command. He won 28, drew 25, and lost 29, scoring an average of 1.33 points per game.

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