"No disrespect to Bristol City" - Exclusive: Sky pundit reacts to Liam Manning news involving Leicester and Norwich City | OneFootball

Robins boss Manning has been linked with both the Foxes and Canaries jobs after his stellar season at Ashton Gate

Ex-Premier League footballer and current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that Bristol City boss Liam Manning could be tempted to depart Ashton Gate if he is approached by Leicester City to become their new head-coach ahead of next season.

Manning's Robins ended their Championship campaign in disappointing fashion last week as they were beaten 3-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to lose 6-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals, after they had impressively clinched a sixth-placed finish in the regular season.

City's full attention will soon turn to the new campaign and the summer window that precedes it, but there are fears among supporters at Ashton Gate that their 39-year-old boss could be on his way out of the club following their impressive exploits.

Manning has been linked with taking over at both Norwich City and Leicester City in recent times, but while it would be a surprise to see him join the former, after they finished seven places and 11 points below the Robins in the Championship, a move to the relegated East Midlands outfit may well be one that appeals.

Lee Hendrie reveals Liam Manning thoughts

Norwich-born Manning impressed in his first stint as a manager at Belgian side Lommel SK in the 2020/21 campaign, which led MK Dons to appoint him as their boss to try to chase promotion from League One to the second-tier.

He led them to a third-place finish in his first season, but they were beaten in the play-offs, and he was dismissed midway through his second term in charge. Oxford United moved to hire him in March 2023, and the U's strong third-tier form saw Bristol City poach him to become their head-coach in November of the same year.

Manning led City to an 11th-placed finish in his first season in charge at Ashton Gate, and they managed to go one better this time around as they sneaked into the play-offs following some impressive end-of-season form. Their sixth-placed finish was the club's best league finish in 17 years.

The 39-year-old is unsurprisingly highly-rated throughout the EFL, and talkSPORT have reported that Norwich are showing an interest in making him their new boss following Johannes Hoff Thorup's sacking, while journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that he is under consideration for the Leicester job, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to leave.

Former professional player and current EFL pundit Lee Hendrie has sung Manning's praises for his impressive job in charge of the Ashton Gate side over the last few years, and he thinks that he would depart the Robins to take over at Leicester if the Foxes were to make an approach for his services soon.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “Liam Manning is linked with the Leicester and Norwich jobs…I think he has proved what a great season he has had, with probably a limited budget.

“I think you do have to take that in mind, with what he does. His style of play, as well, I think suits probably both of those football clubs.

“The other thing is, is whether Bristol City would or could invest maybe more to take that next step from what they have achieved this season with Liam, because he is a very good head-coach.

“He has definitely got the right temperament to maybe take that step-up to maybe a Leicester or a Norwich.

“No disrespect to Bristol City, but I think if you have got a manager that has given you some form of success, which to a certain extent it is, you have to start looking at can they build on what they have achieved this season.

“I’m not sure if that’s going to be the case with Bristol City, so that’s when a temptation will always lie with the manager, because managers always want to get promotions and win cups and trophies.

“He’s learnt a lot, and is another manager who is taking those steps forward. I’ve been really impressed with what he has done.

“It wouldn’t surprise me (if he left). I think more so Leicester wouldn’t be a bad shout. Obviously, Norwich are going to lose players and are going to need to invest, so I think at this current time they wouldn’t be far off being in a similar situation to what Bristol City are in.

“So I think the Leicester one might tempt him, more so.”

Manning is yet to receive an approach from Norwich or Leicester - the Foxes job would surely tempt him to leave Bristol City

Manning's stock is clearly high following a brilliant season overseeing the Robins' top-six push, despite their ultimately disappointing play-off campaign that saw them well-beaten by a strong Sheffield United squad.

He has been linked with both the Norwich and Leicester jobs in recent times, but Bristol City supporters can likely remain calm for the time being regarding the Canaries' interest after a new revelation about his future was made by Bristol Live last week.

They have claimed that the Robins are yet to receive any approach for Manning's services from the Carrow Road outfit, and Ashton Gate chiefs are understandably keen to keep the ex-Oxford boss at the club should such any kind of offer be put forward.

While that will relax those connected with the club that may be worried about the 39-year-old's impending departure, it does not speak to Leicester's apparent interest, which, as aforementioned, would be very tough for Manning to turn down if the Foxes were serious about him being appointed.

The East Midlands side have endured a dismal Premier League campaign, as their relegation was confirmed with five games to spare, but they will plan to be a force in the second-tier next term with numerous key players retained and a new boss in place as Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to leave his head-coach post.

Leicester will also have a big pot of parachute payment money at their disposal that will no doubt be used to further bolster their squad, much like in 2023/24 when they went straight back up as Championship champions after going down the year before.

The appeal of such a club is clear, with the chance to manage in the top-flight a real possibility for Manning if he is able to succeed at the King Power Stadium. Whether the Foxes are set to choose him as their next boss remains to be seen, but it would certainly not be a shock to see him appointed if he is offered a chance to take the job.