Oxford United: How will Liam Manning's exit affect Oxford United's League One fortunes?
- Published
Liam Manning leaves Oxford United second in League One and three points behind leaders Portsmouth after 15 matches, having spent only eight months in charge of the club
This week has been a battle of heart and head
The feelings at Oxford United - both within the club and among the fans - about the decision by Liam Manning to quit for a job at a bigger club, at a higher level that will pay significantly more money, can be summed quite simply: they hate it.
They also know though that Liam Manning's short but sweet time at the Kassam Stadium has made them a much more attractive proposition to the one he had to fight to be given the chance to take on only eight months ago. Potential managers who would not have looked twice at a vacancy at Oxford then, will now.
'Oxford should have some swagger '
The heart ruled the head in the club statement on Manning's departure. There was something real and raw in the admission of disappointment and it chimed with much of the fan base who did not want to read any platitudes or gratitude expressed at that moment and did not see any. They've been dumped. It sucks. The "plenty more fish in the sea" conversation was not one everyone was ready for. There is uncertainty and a fear about change, but there needn't be.
It is not just Manning who has transformed Oxford. In League One terms he was backed to the hilt. The next guy will be too. I have commented here previously that Oxford are looking to emulate Brighton's success - on and off the field - in what they believe is a comparable market.
You will remember Brighton expressing their profound disappointment when Graham Potter departed for Chelsea (there were some kind words in their statement too) but then they brought in Roberto de Zerbi and the disappointment disappeared.
Oxford remain a Top 30 club wannabee. If and when they make it, the predators looking to swoop for their top players or successful coaches will come from a higher level than Bristol City. Even now, however, Oxford should have some swagger about them as they look replace Manning.
Oxford 'still' have 'great chance' for promotion
I have seen it said that the timing is bad. There's never a good time, but there is only one league game between now and November 25th. Better now than in the run-in. And also better now than closer to the January window or even next summer. Still second in League One, Oxford are probably more attractive to potential new managers now than they would be if they were starting a new campaign in whichever division they found themselves in.
The same people who trusted the process that delivered Manning to Oxford last March are still in place. If the same people trust the same process to find his replacement, there is no reason another "great fit" cannot be found. This should also favour the "continuity candidates" who can work with the existing players, many of whom have been recruited to play the Manning way, or have enjoyed the change to it.
There are no guarantees that the next manager of Oxford United will pick up the reigns and lead the club to the Championship. There was no guarantee Manning would have done either. The club had a great chance this time last week and it still does now.
You can hear every Oxford United match live on BBC Radio Oxford with Jerome Sale.
