Bristol City appoint Oxford's Manning as head coach

After a career in non-league football Liam Manning became an academy coach at West Ham and New York City before joining Belgian side Lommel as manager in 2020

Bristol City have appointed Oxford United boss Liam Manning as head coach.

Manning leaves Oxford second in League One and three points behind leaders Portsmouth after 15 matches, having spent just eight months in charge of the club.

He has previously managed Milton Keynes Dons and Belgian side Lommel.

"This is a terrific opportunity and one that I'm really looking forward to," Manning told the Bristol City website.

"If you look at the vision of the club and where they want to get to and how they want to get there I think there is really good fit and alignment with my journey and where I want to get to."

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Manning, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Ashton Gate, has impressed since succeeding Karl Robinson as U's boss - the club were 18th in League One and three points off the relegation places when he took over in March.

He kept Oxford up last season thanks to two wins in their final three matches, before masterminding an excellent start of this season which has seen the U's lose just two league games since the opening day of the season.

"Liam is a great fit for the club and the style of play we want", Bristol City Chairman Jon Lansdown said.

"He has a very detailed approach to coaching, improving players and getting the best out of them as his record at MK Dons and Oxford United shows.

"As soon as we made the change Liam was our first choice and we are grateful to Oxford United for the extremely professional way they have approached the departure of someone who was doing a fantastic job for them."

After taking over from Russell Martin at MK Dons in August 2021, Manning led the club to a third-placed finish in League One, before being knocked out of the play-offs at the semi-final stage by Wycombe Wanderers.

He lost his job in December last year after a run of one win in his final 11 league games left the club second-from-bottom.

More to follow.