Rob Edwards Shows Interest in Bristol City Job Amid Liam Manning’s Likely Exit
Rob Edwards has emerged as a candidate to take over as Bristol City manager, with Liam Manning expected to join Norwich City.
ITV journalist Ross Arnott reports that the former Luton Town manager is keen on stepping into the role at Ashton Gate. The 42-year-old is currently without a club following his departure from Luton in January.
Although his recent stint in the Championship ended in disappointment, Edwards previously earned plaudits for leading Luton to Premier League promotion, finishing 18th in the top flight.
Edwards a Possible Successor at Ashton Gate
Reports suggest that Edwards is among those interested in filling the vacancy left by Manning, whose switch to Norwich appears to be all but confirmed.
Manning’s departure to the Canaries is said to have been handled amicably, despite moving to a direct Championship rival. Bristol City are reportedly set to receive around £800,000 in compensation for the 39-year-old’s services, as per The Telegraph.
Following Edwards’ exit, Luton were relegated under Matt Bloomfield, further suggesting the challenges the club faced extended beyond the former manager’s tenure.
Reflecting on Edwards’ Time at Luton
Edwards took charge at Luton in November 2022 after Nathan Jones left for Southampton. He led the club to a third-place finish in the Championship and secured promotion through the play-offs with a victory over Coventry City.
While Luton were ultimately relegated from the Premier League, Edwards was praised for his approach and leadership during their campaign. However, a difficult start in the Championship this season saw him dismissed midway through the campaign.
Potential and Risk in Edwards Appointment
Manning’s departure will be a blow to Bristol City after he guided the club to a sixth-place finish and a play-off semi-final last season. Replacing him will be no easy task.
That said, Edwards could prove a worthy successor if he can replicate the early success he enjoyed at Luton. While there are concerns given the way his tenure ended, Luton’s continued struggles under Bloomfield hint that Edwards may not have been solely responsible for the decline.
Overall, bringing in Edwards would carry some risk—but it also offers promising potential.
