Neil Warnock reveals what Liam Manning will be doing at Norwich City right now - it’s hilarious | OneFootball

The Canaries' frustrating start to the campaign continued in midweek

Former Sheffield United boss and Championship cult figure Neil Warnock took the opportunity to issue a slightly comical verdict on Liam Manning's frustrating start to life in the Norwich City hotseat.

The Canaries' inconsistent start to the second tier season continued on Wednesday night as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion at Carrow Road courtesy of Josh Maja's first goal of the season after 20 minutes played.

Norwich have failed to get their campaign off and running despite a whole host of promising changes in the dugout and to the playing squad, with Manning being presented with a four-year contract by his hometown club in June after guiding divisional rivals, Bristol City, into last season's play-off semi-finals.

The East Anglian outfit have gained a reputation over recent times for being one of the Championship's most dominant forces, largely down to two title-winning seasons under Daniel Farke in 2019 and 2021, yet have only threatened to end their current Premier League exile - which has lasted since the summer of 2022 - on one occasion, when they were defeated by Leeds United in the play-off semi-finals in 2023/24.

Manning was named as the third permanent figure in the Carrow Road hotseat in the space 13 months after Johannes Hoff Thorup was unable to adequately replace David Wagner. But, the 40-year-old is yet to convince the masses after a run of two wins, as many draws and four defeats in the opening eight games.

As a result, Warnock couldn't believe the stature of the majority of sides currently residing in the division's bottom six places, whilst also revealing, rather amusingly, how Manning must be feeling right now.

City's narrow defeat to Ryan Mason's side meant that all four of Manning's league defeats have come on home turf, having previously suffered defeats to Millwall, Middlesbrough and Wrexham.

They now find themselves narrowly above the early-season relegation places, with all of Derby County, Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Warnock's beloved Sheffield United occupying 20th place down to the bottom of the table respectively.

When analysing the fortunes of said clubs alongside David Prutton and Jamie Mackie following Oxford's goalless draw against QPR at Loftus Road, the charismatic 76-year-old stated: "You look at every one of those clubs that are down there, wow.

"I mean, they are massive clubs, aren't they?," Warnock added.

"Norwich, we've seen some of the chances (vs West Brom). Poor old Liam Manning, he must be pulling his hair out tonight - whatever's left of it," he added, met with laughter by the aforementioned duo sat alongside him.

Later on, Warnock admitted how the chances of promotion are becoming increasingly slimmer for sides in the Canaries' position, having seen their three-year cycle of parachute payments expire at the end of last season.

"There's some money in that Championship now," he claimed. "Everywhere, the money's there.

"The owners all see what that promotion's going to get them and the club. Everybody wants it, so they're spending more and more, and it's getting harder for clubs like Oxford (to compete)."

Liam Manning will hope the tide can turn quickly at Norwich City

Manning, rightfully, earned a reputation for being one of the most promising head coaches in the EFL, having previously enjoyed relative success with MK Dons, Oxford and Bristol City, and there will be a belief that he can eventually address Norwich's early-season woes.

The aforementioned four-year contract shows the faith put in him by majority owner, Mark Attanasio and sporting director, Ben Knapper. However, the Canaries are a club that demand quick success when in the Championship, meaning he may not get the chance to fully see out said deal.

City will continue to pin their hopes on USMNT international Josh Sargent, who remained at the club despite Premier League interest and has already scored five of their ten goals, meaning that others around him in creative areas such as Ante Crnac, Oscar Schwartau and Emiliano Marcondes must improve their individual output.

Meanwhile, conceding 11 goals in eight games despite having plenty of experience to call upon in defensive areas will be a major concern for Manning, proving that Warnock's comical description will be somewhat true.

Next up for the Yellows is Manning's first taste of the East Anglian derby with Ipswich Town, who have also endured a mixed start to the campaign following relegation from the Premier League.