Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Assistant Chris Hogg will replace Manning on the touchline during his period of absence
Liam Manning, the Bristol City head coach, will take a period of absence from the club as he is grieving the death of his recently born son Theo.
The Championship club said in a statement colleagues were “deeply saddened” at this “difficult time” for Manning, his wife Fran and older son Isaac. His deputy Chris Hogg will take temporary charge of all footballing duties at Ashton Gate, with City currently in 16th place.
“Everyone at Bristol City Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Liam’s recently born son Theo John Manning,” a club statement said.
“We know that Bristol City’s supporters and the wider football family will share their condolences and deepest sympathy with Liam, his wife Fran and their son Isaac during this difficult period. Liam will take a period of absence, and all football duties will be carried out by Chris Hogg. We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time.”
Despite mixed fortunes since arriving at City from Oxford United almost a year ago, Manning, 38, remains one of the highest-rated young managers outside England’s top tier.
In an interview with Telegraph Sport, after he arrived at City, Manning described how the loss of his own father when he was 11 had helped shape his career.
“I think that created the fire in the belly for me a little bit,” he says. “That was always my way of channelling it into football. And that’s always been there.
“In football, we’re lucky. We’re passionate, we’re obsessive. We’re quite selfish at times with how we have to be in the industry. Then stepping outside that bubble and having that bigger picture perspective helps when you come back in.”
Manning is a graduate of the Premier League’s elite coach accreditation scheme. City travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday.