Norwich City’s search for a new manager heading for positive conclusion after ‘tough call’ for Liam Manning

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After weeks of confusion and plenty of interviews, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that Norwich City are closing in on their new manager, with the latest on Liam Manning’s stance.

When Norwich City parted ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup at the end of April, it was widely expected that Jack Wilshere would step up and take over at Carrow Road full time.

That didn’t quite go to plan, though, with the Norwich hierarchy going in another direction, leading Wilshere to leave the club completely.

Norwich have faced a number of hurdles in the search for their next manager. While the likes of Gary O’Neil and Pep Lijnders have been in the running of late, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that Liam Manning is now in line for the job.

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Liam Manning to Norwich City is ‘pretty much done’

We first discussed Manning’s links with the Norwich job almost a fortnight ago, while he was guiding Bristol City through the Championship play-offs.

Since then, the Robins have crashed out of the promotion hunt and speculation pushing Manning towards Norwich has ramped up.

Now, thanks to information from our Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey, we are told Norwich believe they have been able to persuade Manning to leave his role at Bristol City and move back to his native Norfolk.

It is said Manning has been taking his time to consider his options in the wake of that play-off defeat, and it has been a “tough call” for him to think about leaving behind the Robins, who supported him through a family emergency earlier this season.

Now, though, we are told Norwich believe Manning will take the job, with one source claiming the deal is “pretty much done” at this stage.

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Liam Manning worked wonders at Bristol City this season

Bristol City may have been humbled by Sheffield United in the play-offs, but there’s no taking away from what Manning and his side achieved this season.

To finish in the top six with the kind of budget and the size of squad he worked with at Ashton Gate was a remarkable achievement.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68
7	BlackburnBlackburn	46	19	9	18	53	48	5	66
8	MillwallMillwall	46	18	12	16	47	49	-2	66

Bristol City were in great form going into the play-offs and were able to surprise us all along the way this season, picking up big results against big teams.

If Manning does leave Bristol City, the fans will likely be distraught. He has been a key driver to their recent success and has built solid foundations for the club.

He has taken charge of 82 games for the club now, with 28 wins, 25 draws, and 29 defeats, producing a points-per-game (PPG) ratio of 1.33 and a 34.14% win rate. This season alone, his average PPG has been much higher, at 1.46.