Pundit issues Liam Manning, Bristol City warning amid potential exit claim | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer exclusively spoke to FLW about Liam Manning's future at Bristol City

Pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has urged Bristol City to have patience over the immediate future of Liam Manning, who was reportedly at risk of losing his job ahead of the weekend.

According to a report from Football Insider, Manning was in danger of facing the sack heading into Saturday afternoon's home clash against Championship newcomers Oxford United, who he formerly managed before taking the job at Ashton Gate last November.

Second-half goals from Sinclair Armstrong and Nakhi Wells inspired a turnaround to see the Robins run out 2-1 victors, installing potential security to Manning's position.

The report came off the back of consecutive 3-0 defeats to Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, although City have since been elevated to 13th position with two victories, two draws and two defeats from their opening six outings in the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

However, only 23rd-placed Portsmouth and rock-bottom rivals Cardiff City have conceded more goals than the 12 of the Robins, who have let in three goals on three separate occasions thus far.

Carlton Palmer delivers Liam Manning, Bristol City verdict

Palmer has told the Robins to act with patience for the time being, although he has cited the deterioration in Manning's win percentage with the club compared to previous spells as a sign of concern.

"Bristol City are sat in mid-table on eight points, three points off a play-off place," Palmer exclusively explained to Football League World.

"It was reported that Manning was under pressure ahead of the Oxford United win. It's a difficult one, I don't think he should be sacked. His record isn't brilliant like it has been in his previous jobs, 42 games as Bristol City manager, won 14, drawn 13 and lost 15 games.

"But they are sat in mid-table, I think again it comes back to expectations on where you want the club to be. I think they need to be in the top-half of the table, he needs to be pushing for a play-off spot this season and in and around those positions.

"It's difficult at the moment because people are looking at Oxford getting promoted and how well they're doing in the division, but things will settle down. You look at Oxford and Derby County, they've both had relatively good starts to the season, they'll be pleased with where they are but the season will settle down.

"But he's definitely got to start picking up results, his win ratio at previous clubs was a lot higher. He's always been in the 40% ratio previously and at this moment in time, he's falling a little bit short of that.

"His win ratio at MK Dons and Oxford was 48% and at Lommel it was 46%, and he's dropped to 33% at Bristol City. But we are talking about the Championship, which is a different league.

"If he was in the 40% then we would be talking about Bristol City getting promoted out of the league so relatively, over his career he's had very good statistics.

"Let's see, I think patience is the key but he's definitely going to have to pick up and keep Bristol City in the top-half of the table.

Liam Manning needs to pick up at Bristol City

The club currently find themselves in familiar territory, with positions across mid-table a recurring theme in the red quarters of Bristol. Finishing the season around 13th position would perhaps be in line with the realistic expectations of the squad, but Manning may be fearing the axe if upcoming results see them descend the table.

The Robins are not as trigger-happy as some of their Championship rivals but, across the game, managers are afforded less time than ever before.

Clubs are not afraid to hand out the sack early in the season and we have already seen two managerial casualties in the Championship this season, with both Steven Schumacher and Erol Bulut being relieved of their duties with Stoke City and Cardiff respectively in the last week.

Manning could quite reasonably feel that his side's upcoming matches provide the platform for him to allay any concerns over his future. Bristol City's next three games will see them face off against Swansea City, Sheffield Wednesday and Severnside rivals Cardiff, who are yet to win in the Championship and have scored just one goal at the time of writing.