Press news special in...

🎙️ Liam Manning & Ben Knapper will address the NCFC media at 10am this morning.
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LM on joining Norwich: “A huge sense of pride.”

LM on leaving Bristol City: “First and foremost, there has been a lot made about the personal stuff. But the ambition and strategy is the main driver.”

BK on Liam Manning: “We have someone who understands the league and the level. He’s demonstrated an ability to overachieve.”

LM on Harry Darling: “He has shown what he can do a Championship level. He’s definitely someone who is a good fit. But he will have options.”

BK on Harry Darling: “I don’t know. But is he someone we are aware of, of course.”

LM on his Norwich connection: “My first ever live match was here. My first ever season ticket is here. Even when I’ve travelled around the world, my family have always been here. It’s a City that I’ve got a lot of affiliation with.”

LM on big departures this summer: “When you’ve got big players who are performing, they will attract interest. But this club always reinvests. There is huge potential in the group already.”

LM on season objectives: “I’ve joined because I’m ambitious. We want to finish top six. That’s the end goal, but it’s about how you achieve that. My energy goes into bouncing from game-to-game.”

BK on recruitment: “Today will be Liam’s first day in the office with me. I won’t be in his wife’s good books (lots of phone calls). So a lot of that work is already done.”

LM on leaving Bristol City: “Any move you make is difficult. When I was aware of the interest and knowing the direction, ambition and fanbase here - the driver was the ambition and project. People are massive for me. Everybody can have goals and ambitions, but you need people around you. The alignment and how looks and feels working together it’s important.”

LM on his backroom staff: “Nothing at the moment. It’s an ongoing process.”


LM on Nick Stanley and Tony Roberts: “We will be working with those guys. It will make me better. There’s a real strength coming in and working with some staff already in place.”

LM on the profile of the squad: “It’s a discussion we’ve already had. You want the right blend of people who can deliver now and young players. It’s not about how old they are, but the amount of games they’ve played. Oscar Schwartau played 40 games last season, he will be better.”

LM on player development: “I want to help players and people. I like to hope we’ve coached older players and made them better as well.”

LM on reaching out to players: “I will do in the next week or so. I am quite respectful that the lads are on holiday. The testing is before pre-season, so I can touch base and do introductions.”

LM on summer window: “We know we need to add in a few key areas. When I went out to Belgium and worked with the City group, I worked with 16 nationalities.”

LM on Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent: “You have to work for today and tomorrow. They are top players for the level and naturally they will have interest, but it has to be right for the club.”

LM message to the fans: “I’m delighted to be here and can’t wait to meet some of you around the City. The fans are the most important part when they get behind the lads.”

BK on his relationship with Liam: “There’s staff that Liam has worked with that I’ve worked with. That all helped and put Liam on my radar years ago.”

BK on the head coach search: “Timing in this game is everything. You have to think of the chain effects that can happen in this game. Thankfully, it didn’t impact us too much.”

BK on first mini window: “I would say so (done for now), but you never know. We’ve got irons in the fires.”

BK on Sainz offers: “We’ve had multiple formal offers. There’s other clubs circling. But none of those have met our valuation. We’ve shown long before my time at the club as well, we can get good value for players.”

BK on getting value for players: “Selling players is important and we’ve managed to do that well historically. Things have to be right for us and that will remain the same.”

BK on Lewis Dobbin: “He is still doing his rehab. Discussions are still ongoing, but I’m not sure what way that will land.”

BK message to the fans: “I hope they are excited. Yes, we’ve got a young group, but we have to be better and get results. We don’t have time to waste and let things meander along.”

LM on coming home: “It’s a nice added bonus. I love the City and the area. My wife’s family are also from here.”

LM on connection to the area: “It added an extra layer of texts on my phone. I have friends and family that are Norwich fans. It does add an emotional element and I can’t wait to get going.”

LM on watching Norwich: “My first game here was against Manchester United in 1993. Man Utd won 3-1. Then I got a season ticket the next year.”

LM on relationships with the players: “Getting to know people is massive. Understanding their upbringing, nerves or anxieties. Anything to help them to be their best on a match day.”

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That's all from the bosses.

Posted By: DrDublin on June 9th 2025 at 10:47:41

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