“He has proven” – Pundit provides take on Portsmouth managerial candidate | OneFootball

Portsmouth are considering the appointment of former MK Dons manager Liam Manning as they step up their search for Danny Cowley’s replacement.

BBC reporter Andrew Moon revealed earlier in the week that the 37-year-old was being considered by the Portsmouth hierarchy, with an update from talkSPORT’s Alex Crook suggesting it is becoming more and more likely that it will be Manning who will be appointed.

The former MK Dons boss, who was sacked a month ago, guided the Buckinghamshire club to a third-placed finish last time out, galvanising the squad after losing Russell Martin late on in pre-season.

Sharing his thoughts on Manning as a potential candidate for the Portsmouth vacancy, Carlton Palmer told Football League World: “With Liam, I thought it was a bit harsh for him to lose his job. He took MK Dons to third in the table last season and with 89 points, losing to Wycombe in the play-off semi-final.

“This season didn’t start so well but there’s no loyalty. There’s no ‘let’s let’s give it a bit of time.’

Quiz: What club do these 15 ex-Portsmouth academy players play for now?

1 of 15

ADAM WEBSTER

NEWCASTLE BRIGHTON

“So why not Liam? He’s out of contract, they haven’t got to pay any compensation and he has proven that he can steer a team into a play-off position.”

The verdict

This would be a good appointment at Pompey, with the young manager showing plenty of signs of positivity in the early stages of his career.

Yes, things did not work out at the start of the campaign with the Dons, however, losing key individuals in the summer proved to be the route of the issue.

Working with Russell Martin to implement a possession-based style of play that wears teams out, there would be potential for him to bring that to Fratton Park, with the south coast club possessing the personnel to do so.

Manning is a manager who would need to be given some time, however, it would represent a positive step in the right direction.