Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
Liam Manning is on the verge of history with Bristol City as they begin their Championship play-off campaign.
Bristol City face Sheffield United in the first of the two Championship play-off ties at Ashton Gate and although the Blades are better in the head-to-head record between the two teams, the Robins will be buoyed by their excellent campaign.
Neither side has been overly successful in play-off history – never winning promotion – but now Manning can change that.
The 39-year-old was appointed in November 2023 after Bristol City made the decision to sack Nigel Pearson.
Following a period of stability, Manning has taken the club to new levels but ahead of his side’s huge first leg tie, singled out Pearson for one parting gift.
- READ MORE: Bristol City are in uncharted territory after ending 17-year wait to reach Championship play-offs
Liam Manning thanks Nigel Pearson for building the Bristol City squad
Speaking to Bristol Live, Manning hailed the work Pearson did to build the squad, with a large core of the current group brought to Ashton Gate after speaking to his predecessor.
“Credit to Nige as well, I spoke with him as well, and we inherited a group of great lad,” the Robins boss said.
“We inherited a terrific group of people and pros and we’ve added to it, progressed it and moved it forward but the starting point was a group of lads that were willing to work and willing to learn which is obviously music to our ears as coaches that we can come in, put our stamp on it and work the way we want.”
Every signing made by Nigel Pearson and Liam Manning at Bristol City
Bristol City will never claim to be the richest club in the world, meaning they must act shrewdly in the transfer market.
A lot of the current first-team members were brought to Ashton Gate by Pearson, whilst Manning added even more quality.
| Nigel Pearson signings | Liam Manning signings |
|---|---|
| Ross McCrorie | Scott Twine (loan, then permanent) |
| Jason Knight | Fally Mayulu |
| Rob Atkinson | Sinclair Armstrong |
| Rob Dickie | Luke McNally |
| Matty James | Taylor Gardner-Hickman (deal made permanent) |
| Andy King | Josh Stokes |
| Timm Klose | Adedire Mebude |
| Mark Sykes | Max Bird |
| Kal Naismith | Yu Hirakawa |
| Kane Wilson | George Earthy |
| Stefan Bajic | Marcus McGuane |
| Nikita Haikin | |
| Haydon Roberts | |
| George Tanner | |
| Anis Mehmeti | |
| Harry Cornick | |
| Taylor Gardner-Hickman | |
| Danny Simpson | |
| Lewis Thomas |
Pearson signed 19 players in his time whilst Manning has brought in 11 stars – most of whom have contributed heavily. Taylor Gardner-Hickman was one brought in by Pearson before being signed on a permanent deal by Manning.
It’s this sort of work that’s seen Manning appear on Leicester City’s radar and could potentially even go to the King Power Stadium if the play-off campaign doesn’t result in promotion to the Premier League.