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Bristol City will look back on their 2024/25 Championship campaign with fond memories as they aim to go one better next season.
Although Bristol City were thrashed 6-0 on aggregate by Sheffield United, it was their first time in the Championship play-offs for 17 years.
The Robins did brilliantly to finish in the top six when hardly anyone expected them to challenge, with the gulf in class between them and Sheffield United there for all to see.
After doing a miraculous job at Ashton Gate, Liam Manning is now on the radar of Leicester City and a host of other Championship clubs.
Manning is one of the most highly rated young managers in the second tier, and ahead of the summer transfer window, the future of the 39-year-old isn’t Bristol City’s only concern.
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David Prutton on talk of Jason Knight to Everton
Bristol City have some star-studded talent in their squad who are destined for the Premier League sooner rather than later, including Jason Knight.
The all-action midfielder enjoyed an exceptional Championship campaign with three goals and six assists in 46 appearances.
Knight was ever present in the Robins’ engine room, showcasing his versatility as a defensive, box-to-box and attacking midfielder.
It is no surprise that the 24-year-old has attracted transfer interest, namely from Premier League side Everton, and Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes he would be ‘tempted’ by a move to Merseyside.
“I absolutely do think he would be tempted by a move to Everton. My word, a Premier League side coming in for you. One of many players who have overachieved expectation-wise with Bristol City,” Prutton told Football League World.
“Whether there is ambition from Bristol City to keep him on board or whether a big price tag or a fee would persuade them to cash in; from a players’ point of view, Everton moving into a brand-new stadium with a manager who knows all about the Premier League would be a hugely attractive option.”
Knight, who Wayne Rooney once adored during his time at Derby County, deserves to showcase his talents at the top level, and it would be a huge blow for Bristol City to lose him.
Liam Manning’s assessment of Knight
Under the guidance of Manning, Knight’s all-round game has developed tremendously, becoming more of a threat in front of goal and transforming into a leadership figure as captain.
“Phenomenal,” Manning said when asked about Knight’s season. “I love him to bits, I think he’s first class.
“He has a huge future ahead of him when you just look at everything about him. It hit us on day one walking through the door, he role models everything that you want and I think he’s really added the leadership and the voice in the changing room. I think he’s really grown that over the course of the season.
“His game understanding, I think, has massively improved. He’s got to work on his finishing off his left foot because an inch lower and it would have made my life a lot easier, but he’s a dream to work with. He’s one of those that, again, he’s so driven and that’s exactly what we want.”
Knight has all the tools in his locker to flourish in the Premier League, as demonstrated by Manning’s assessment, with Bristol City surely waving goodbye to him this summer.