Bristol City have confirmed the appointment of Liam Manning as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The 38-year-old joins the Robins from Oxford United with immediate effect, having steered Oxford to second in League One this season.
Manning replaces Nigel Pearson, who was sacked by Bristol City last month following a run of five defeats in seven games.
The former MK Dons boss has put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at Ashton Gate until June 2027, and he will be joined at the club by his assistant Chris Hogg.
"This is a terrific opportunity and one that I'm really looking forward to," Manning told the club's official 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.
Our new Head Coach. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Ypo8QyeRA6
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) November 7, 2023
"You want players that you can coach and are mouldable and on an upward trajectory in their career. I think that brings certain behaviours in terms of drive, intensity and ambition which align with how we want to work."
Bristol City chairman Jon Lansdown added: "Liam is a great fit for the club and the style of play we want. 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, while he has valuable experience within the City Group and in Belgium.
"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.
"We are excited about the arrival of Liam and Chris and fulfilling the ambition we all have for the club with this talented and committed group of players."
Manning's first match in charge of Bristol City will come away to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, while his first home game at the helm will come against Middlesbrough after the upcoming international break.
The Robins beat Sheffield Wednesday under interim boss Curtis Fleming at the weekend, lifting them back into the top half of the Championship table.
Manning spent less than eight months in charge at Oxford, winning 14 and losing just eight of his 29 matches in charge.
Barney Corkhill
