Boss of Portsmouth rivals Bristol City to take leave after death of son
Liam Manning - the boss of Pompey rivals Bristol City - will take a period of absence following the death of his baby son Theo.
Assistant manager Chris Hogg will take charge of first-team matters at Ashton Gate while the 38-year-old is away, with no timeframe in place for Manning’s return.
A statement from the Robins read: ‘Everyone at Bristol City Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Liam's recently born son Theo John Manning.
‘We know that Bristol City's supporters and the wider football family will share their condolences and deepest sympathy with Liam, his wife Fran and his son Isaac during this difficult period.
‘We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time.’
Former Oxford boss Manning has been in charge at Bristol City since November 2023. He was linked to the Pompey head coach position in January of the same year but lost out to John Mousinho after holding talks with the Blues hierarchy.
He guided the Robins to a 11th place in the Championship last season, with the Ashton Gate outfit currently 16th in the table this term - seven places and six points better off than Mousinho’s Blues.
Pompey welcome City to Fratton Oark on Saturday, December 7. Bristol City’s next game is at Middlesbrough on Saturday.