Well, we knew it would happen but maybe some fans didn’t expect it would happen so soon into his Oxford United tenure.
As reported yesterday, Liam Manning looks set to replace Nigel Pearson as manager of Championship club, Bristol City.
The 38-year-old, who joined the club in March, will leave the U’s second in League One, just three points behind Portsmouth.
Tasked with keeping Oxford in the division after a dismal campaign under Karl Robinson, Manning and his team managed to secure their League One status with one game remaining, despite picking up just two wins from ten games.
This season has been a stark contrast to what Oxford fans witnessed over the last campaign. Manning has guided the U’s to ten wins from 15 league games and they sit second in the division.
It was also a spectacular transfer window, which saw 11 new arrivals through the door. However, it’s the work with the players already at the club that has been one of his strongest achievements, getting the best out of what was a very poor side last season.
Obviously, the majority of U’s fans want to see Manning stay and get the job done, and it’s a frustrating feeling that he is jumping ship at the first opportunity to do so. However, after a stellar season at MK Dons – in which he guided them to the playoffs – he was sacked following a poor start to the next campaign. Clearly, he doesn’t want to be in that position again.
Reluctantly, Oxford fans must now hope that the board employ the right man to replace him, with Oxford-born Des Buckingham (who was in contention for the role after Robinson was sacked) an intriguing candidate.
There is still some hope among a select few fans that he will stay, but the latest reports suggest the deal is as good as done. Oxford will get a good compensation package, they’ve had a terrific transfer window (Manning said it could take three before the club is where they should be) and the foundations are in place for the next manager.
After Robinson was sacked, the U’s were struggling in League One. Now, the club’s stock is high, plans for a new stadium are awaiting planning permission and the playing squad is a lot better than it was 12 months ago. This job could attract quite the calibre of head coach.
