Oxford United head coach Liam Manning has been awarded the League One manager of the month for August.
As a result, the 38-year-old has ended the club’s 18-year stretch without winning the award, with Ramon Diaz the last to pick up the accolade in January 2005.
Despite an opening day defeat at Cambridge, Oxford bounced back with a home win over Carlisle before back-to-back away victories at Derby and Barnsley respectively.
The U’s then recorded a fourth win in five games against Charlton and ended the month top of the table.
In true Manning style, the head coach was quick to praise his backroom staff for helping him win the award. He said: “It’s a mixed thing for me.
“I’m hugely proud and I’d never disrespect the award or the history behind it, or the pride of winning it, but for me, it’s bigger picture stuff.
“I’m massively fortunate to have a terrific group of staff behind me.
“Hoggy’s [Chris Hogg, assistant head coach] been with me for a long time, as has Pricey [Lewis Price, goalkeeper coach].
“I’ve put them through a lot of stress and aggro, and that’s why for me it’s a staff of the month award, not a manager of the month – that’s probably the biggest message.”
Manning also lauded his playing squad for their efforts, adding: “It’s testament to what the players have delivered on the pitch and the work the staff have done all the way from the off-season to pre-season, to now.
“The award is a terrific achievement, but it doesn’t feel right that it’s a single person being highlighted for it.
“I’m only as good as the players and the culture that we have, and the staff around me.”
