Bristol City's final 3-manager shortlist revealed - 42-year-old Englishman is a candidate | OneFootball

The Robins are on the hunt for their Liam Manning replacement.

Bristol City's search for a new manager is reportedly down to the final three, and it includes former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards.

Finding a new boss was not what the Robins expected to be doing following their play-off campaign, their highest finish since they got back into the Championship in 2015.

Liam Manning did a fantastic job last season but, as a result, was poached by his hometown club Norwich City, despite finishing in the bottom half of the league. The Canaries paid £800,000 in order to bring Manning to Carrow Road, but it left his former side in a tricky position, heading into the summer with an uncertain future.

Three managers left on Bristol City's watchlist, including Rob Edwards

After an extensive search, the Robins are down to their final three candidates, as per Bristol Live.

Edwards, Luton's former manager, is among the options. He has been out of work since being sacked by the Hatters in January. This followed a promotion to the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign.

City may potentially need to pay Luton a compensation fee in order to get the Welshman, as per Alex Crook, but, chiefly, Edwards is thought to be open to taking over from Manning at Ashton Gate.

If they do settle on the Welshman as their best option, there is no guarantee that they will get him, though, as he is also part of the final three options that Middlesbrough are looking at. Alan Nixon has reported that Edwards is the "clear favourite" to succeed Michael Carrick at the Riverside Stadium

Gerhard Struber is also being looked at by the Robins. The 48-year-old has spent a lot of his coaching career in his home nation of Austria but was in charge of Barnsley during their last stint in the Championship, two years prior to their relegation into League One.

He most recently led FC Koln most of the way to winning the German second division but was relieved of his duties with only a couple of games to go in the season.

An unknown candidate is also on the Robins' narrowed-down watchlist, as per Bristol Live.

Rob Edwards is the sensible pick for Bristol City

Of the two named options that City are reported to be considering to be their next manager, Edwards would be the most similar option to Manning, if they want to continue down that line. He proved at Kenilworth Road what he can do on a limited budget. The Robins aren't a poor Championship side, but they don't have unlimited funds either.

Gruber would bring exciting football to Ashton Gate. Results may not have always come during his time with Barnsley, but the product that the supporters got to watch was very good on the eye.

City also need to consider how the new boss will fit with the current squad. Yes, there will be some tinkering made over the summer, but nothing wild or outlandish is expected. On that point, the vote would probably go towards Edwards.

His experience in the division, and getting promoted out of it, will also be seen as a big plus by the Robins' hierarchy, and that could be enough to sway their decision his way.