Could Liam Manning's impending departure derail Bristol City?

Bristol City have just enjoyed their best season in nearly two decades, during the final day pitch invasion there seemed little that could derail the feel-good factor around BS3.
Rumours that Liam Manning, the man at the helm of their play-off journey, could be jumping to a Championship rival have sent ripples through the fanbase.
The club is well and truly on the march. Something that threatens to stop the red army in its tracks would be the departure of their leader.
The revelation Norwich City are looking to appoint Manning will have concerned fans.
A football club is always planning and looking to the future, but I have no doubt that Bristol City's plans would have included Liam Manning.
While nothing has been officially confirmed and the club is currently still waiting for an approach from the canaries, there is no smoke without fire.
The 2024/25 campaign
Bristol City's season ended with a whimper, a 6-0 aggregate defeat to Sheffield United in the play-offs, but there were countless shoots of positivity.
The largest of which might have been the way Liam Manning galvanised the playing squad and united a fanbase that had become disillusioned with the team's mid-table obscurity.
This year was different. An incredible run at Ashton Gate took them into the top six for the first time in 17 years in the Championship.
The scenes on the final day against Preston captured what the club has now become. A pitch invasion and party at the stadium.
There was the beautiful moment when Manning brought his son Isaac over to Section 82. Those fist pumps, something many connected with the Robins would remember for a long time.
Off the pitch this has been a season of personal challenge for Liam Manning and his family.
At the end of last year he took a period of leave following the death of his baby son Theo, something he later said almost led to him quitting as City boss.
Instead, Manning returned to the dugout, supported by the club and the fans, and oversaw the club's rise up the league table.
Many believed that this campaign would be the one where City gatecrashed the Premier League party.
This time it wasn't to be, but the promise of this season had supporters hopeful for what could come.
Is there a succession plan?
If Manning were to depart he would inevitably take Chris Hogg, his trusty assistant, with him. It leaves no real successor inside the club.
City's hierarchy will instead have to search for a candidate outside of BS3. There are a number of names being linked with the job already, many of whom are out of work.
Top of the Robins shortlist should be former Luton Town and Forest Green head coach Rob Edwards.
A name already known in the West Country he was the mastermind behind Luton Town's monumental promotion to the premier league.
Sources close to Edwards suggest he would be interested if a potential vacancy comes up at city.
Another name touted as a potential replacement is Gary O'Neil, someone with whom City fans will already be familiar.

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