For the first time since being fired by Norwich City, former Bristol City manager Liam Manning has made a public statement.
In order to assume leadership of the Canaries, Manning departed the Robins in the summer, although his time in Norfolk was brief. In addition to losing the Carabao Cup, Norwich has lost all seven of their Championship home games this season, and their 2–1 loss to Leicester City on Saturday was the last straw. As of the international break, the team is in 23rd place in the table, whereas Bristol City, under the leadership of Gerhard Struber, is in ninth place.
Manning reflected on his brief stint and conveyed gratitude and regret in a statement released by the League Managers Association. He wrote:
“I am really proud to have been named head coach of Norwich City, my hometown team. Unfortunately, when we came in June, we were unable to fulfill the plans we had made or get the desired results.
“Even though I didn’t spend much time with the fans, I want to thank them for their incredible support at a trying time. Every week, their devotion and passion were evident, and despite their natural disappointments, their enthusiasm never faltered. Thank you.
“I also want to express my gratitude to James Krause, Chris Hogg, and the rest of the team for their tireless efforts to try and improve the situation. I was made to feel welcome right away, and I was genuinely impressed by the dedication displayed in every department. I also want to thank the players for their hard work and wish them luck in the future.
“I’ll now spend some time with my family and think back on the last several months. I hope that everyone associated with Norwich City has the best possible outcome.
The 40-year-old’s first comments since leaving the club also emphasized the “incredible spirit” of the Norwich fans.
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