Exclusive: What Don Goodman has said about Rob Edwards potentially replacing Liam Manning at Bristol City | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit spoke exclusively to Football League World about why Rob Edwards could be a strong replacement for Liam Manning at Bristol City

Bristol City will be on the lookout for a new permanent head coach to replace Liam Manning as he closes in on an all-but-sealed switch to Norwich City after taking the Robins to the Championship play-offs for the first time in 17 years.

The 2024/25 campaign was one of unprecedented success for the Robins, who emerged as the division's surprise package by advancing from mid-table mediocrity to beat off the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Millwall to a sixth-placed finish.

They were undone in humiliating fashion by Sheffield United, losing 6-0 across two legs in what was the largest ever defeat in the second-tier's play-offs. However, it's still difficult to downplay just how well Manning did to get the Robins in with a shot of promotion despite working with limited resources in comparison to other bosses at top-six clubs.

The Robins, mind you, ought to have been fearing the worst after being knocked out by Chris Wilder's side. That has now transpired, with Manning edging ever closer to officially completing a switch across the Championship to Norwich as a replacement for Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Indeed, Manning is expected to be unveiled as Norwich's next head coach imminently in what has offered a significant blow to the Robins, given that the Canaries finished last season all the way down in 13th position.

Manning will, however, be backed with a much more significant budget and, quite arguably, a stronger playing squad too at Carrow Road, having not been able to sign a single player with the Robins during the January transfer window.

Don Goodman's verdict on Rob Edwards potentially replacing Liam Manning at Bristol City

One name to have emerged in early potential contention is Rob Edwards, who is available following his departure from Luton Town in January and reportedly holds an interest in succeeding Manning at Bristol City if the opportunity is presented his way.

Edwards has a Championship promotion on his CV, having taken Luton up through the play-offs in 2023. However, the Hatters sorely struggled under his stewardship last term and were ultimately relegated as successor Matt Bloomfield ran out of time to steer the side away from trouble.

Nonetheless, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that Edwards should very much be under consideration by the Robins' hierarchy.

In Goodman's view, the nature of Manning's exit has cast doubt surrounding just how attractive the top job at Ashton Gate really is. That could, of course, offer some food for thought as far as Edwards is concerned.

"So for Bristol City, you wonder how attractive a job that is given that Liam Manning steered them to sixth place and is, it seems more than happy to leave," Goodman explained when speaking exclusively to Football League World.

"It means they can't match Norwich City for ambition or resource, which begs the question of how attractive a job it would be.

"You mentioned Rob Edwards, definitely would be somebody they should consider without question."

Rob Edwards could be a good fit at Bristol City

The appointment of Edwards could be a suitable one for all parties.

He would inherit a squad with experience in similar methods to his own - there are parallels between his favoured 3-5-2 formation and Manning's 3-4-1-2 shape - which means it could be something of a smooth transition.

Already having attack-minded wing-backs in situ could be beneficial for Edwards, who also has experience working under a strict budget at Luton.

The Robins certainly aren't among the richer or bigger-spending clubs in the Championship, and that makes someone like Edwards a realistic and viable candidate.