Liam Manning, head coach of Norwich City, remains resolute in his commitment to the club despite the looming visit from principal owner Mark Attanasio. The American investor is set to meet with Manning, sporting director Ben Knapper, and other key staff during his brief trip to Norfolk, while the Canaries currently find themselves struggling at the bottom of the Championship table following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Swansea City. Read more about Kvistgaarden Returns as Canaries Target Vital Points Against Swans.
Norwich's precarious position, sitting second from bottom, has intensified calls for Manning's resignation among supporters. However, the head coach expressed confidence when discussing Attanasio's upcoming visit. "You'd have to ask Mark. That's not on me, to be fair. Like I say, we had really good support from Ben and the people above me at the club. I don't fear anything. For me, it is what it is. We're in a bad spot. I'm obviously a part of it. I'm enjoying being here, but I want to change it, I want to keep fighting," he stated. Read more about Manning Slams Duffy's Social Media Outburst Amid Fan Fury.
Manning's determination to inspire his squad and instil a sense of accountability among the players is clear. "I want to get the lads on board, in terms of them really owning it, and stepping up. That's the bit I concentrate on. I can't concentrate on uncontrollables in the future and what that looks like," he remarked. Read more about Crnac's ACL Injury Hits Norwich Hard Ahead of Swansea Clash.
Reflecting on the challenges faced since his appointment, Manning acknowledged the obstacles that have hindered progress. "It’s quite clear in terms of understanding what the issues are. I knew the challenge when I came here. Has it gone how we wanted? No. But in terms of the work we do, the plans we have… there’s been so many positive elements in many of the games," he explained.
The head coach is acutely aware of the considerable turnover in the squad over the past two years and the impact it has had on performance. "Everybody would love it to be smooth and a nice, straightforward journey to performing well and winning games. But it's not the reality of the world," he noted.
As Manning assesses his team, he appears to be losing patience with certain players who have consistently underperformed. "As much as I’d love to get it over the line, I need the lads to go with me. So I have to push them and find out the ones that want to," he asserted. With a crucial match against Hull City on the horizon, Manning is determined to field a lineup capable of competing fiercely. "Every game's huge at the minute. The ones that I can trust are the ones that are going to be the players who step up and fight," he warned.
Injuries have further complicated Manning's situation, limiting his options for adjustments. "Having bodies return, we've got (Amankwah) Forson this coming week, having Mathias (Kvistgaarden) back, having bodies helps you do that," he expressed, optimistic that reinforcements will provide the necessary boost as Norwich aims to extract themselves from the relegation zone.
As the pressure mounts, both Manning and his squad must rise to the challenge if they hope to reverse the club's fortunes. The upcoming encounter with Hull City is poised to be crucial in the Canaries' efforts to regain competitiveness in the Championship.