Norwich City have appointed Liam Manning as their new head coach, marking a pivotal step in their quest for stability. The 39-year-old arrives from Bristol City, where he led the team to the Championship play-off semi-finals. This decision follows a thorough month-long search after the dismissal of Johannes Hoff Thorup in April.
Ben Knapper, the club's Sporting Director, emphasised the importance of finding the right candidate, stating, "We want to have somebody in as soon as we can but without compromising the quality of our process and of course the quality of the candidate and finding the right person." This commitment to a meticulous recruitment process underscores Norwich's ambition for long-term success.
Manning, a Norwich native, began his football journey at Bungay Town before joining the Norwich City academy in 1999. He has cherished memories of attending matches at Carrow Road, having held a season ticket during his teenage years. While he has clarified that he is not a die-hard supporter, his familiarity with the iconic stadium will undoubtedly aid his transition from the stands to the technical area.
His route to management is particularly remarkable, given his relatively brief playing career. After joining Ipswich Town's academy in 2002 without making a senior appearance, he spent five years in non-league football with clubs such as Bishop's Stortford and Leiston. At 25, Manning made the crucial decision to pivot from playing to coaching, a move that would set the stage for his subsequent achievements.
Manning's coaching career commenced at West Ham, where he played a significant role in developing players, including Declan Rice, now an England international and Arsenal midfielder. In 2019, he joined the City Football Group, which oversees multiple clubs globally, including New York City FC. During his time in the USA, Manning rose to the position of Academy Director before moving to Belgium to manage Lommel SK. There, he remarkably guided the team from the bottom of the table to a commendable third-place finish in the Belgian First Division B.
Upon returning to the UK, Manning took charge at MK Dons, leading them to a third-place finish in League One during the 2021-22 season. However, his tenure ended in December after a challenging start to the following season. He briefly managed Oxford United before taking the reins at Bristol City, where he led the team to the play-off semi-finals.