Manning v Webber

On the surface, it does seem inconsistent: David Wagner got Norwich to the playoffs, lost heavily to a stronger side, and was sacked. Meanwhile, Liam Manning took Bristol City to the playoffs, also lost heavily, and now he's reportedly being lined up for the Norwich job. So what gives?

Here are a few possible reasons Norwich might be considering Manning despite the playoff result:

1. Style of Play and Long-Term Vision

Manning is known for a possession-based, progressive style of football — something Norwich’s hierarchy (especially under sporting director Ben Knapper) may value more than immediate results. Wagner’s more pragmatic and, at times, passive approach frustrated fans and didn’t align with the club’s desired football identity.

2. Age and Development Focus

At 38, Manning is considered a young, modern coach who’s good with developing younger players — which aligns with Norwich’s model of producing and selling talent. Wagner, while experienced, might have been seen as less progressive or adaptable.

3. Context of Playoff Defeats

Manning’s Bristol City side was arguably overachieving — they’re not a club with a top-six budget or expectation. Norwich, by contrast, were seen as underachieving given the squad and parachute payments. So while both suffered playoff humiliations, the expectations and context were different.

4. Knapper’s Influence

This might simply come down to Knapper wanting his own man. Wagner was inherited, and while he did OK, it’s not unusual for a new sporting director to want a fresh start with someone who shares his philosophy — and Manning reportedly fits that profile.

In short, Norwich may be judging Manning less on one playoff result and more on style, development potential, and alignment with a long-term plan. That doesn’t make it feel any less jarring for fans comparing immediate results — especially when playoff collapses look similar — but it does reflect the club looking beyond short-term performance.

Posted By: Trent_Canary on May 26th 2025 at 12:57:01

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