League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 11:44 am
Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning has been granted compassionate leave for the remainder of the season.
The League One side said in a statement the decision was made after Manning "made the club aware of ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his newborn son Theo in October 2024".
Manning took a short leave of absence from his role as Bristol City manager when Theo died.
Coaches Martin Drury and Jon Stead have been placed in charge of the team for the remainder of the season.
"Liam, his wife Fran, their eldest son Isaac, and the entire Manning family have the full support of everyone at Huddersfield Town, and we will keep in regular contact with Liam and those close to him," Huddersfield said in the statement.
"We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time."
The League One side said in a statement the decision was made after Manning "made the club aware of ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his newborn son Theo in October 2024".
Manning took a short leave of absence from his role as Bristol City manager when Theo died.
Coaches Martin Drury and Jon Stead have been placed in charge of the team for the remainder of the season.
"Liam, his wife Fran, their eldest son Isaac, and the entire Manning family have the full support of everyone at Huddersfield Town, and we will keep in regular contact with Liam and those close to him," Huddersfield said in the statement.
"We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time."
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 11:51 am
I wish the best to Liam Manning and his family, it must obviously be an awful thing for anyone to have to go through.
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 12:50 pm
worcester_ccfc wrote:I wish the best to Liam Manning and his family, it must obviously be an awful thing for anyone to have to go through.
Couldn't think of anything worse than losing one of my children, best wishes to Liam manning
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 1:13 pm
Blue since 1981 wrote:worcester_ccfc wrote:I wish the best to Liam Manning and his family, it must obviously be an awful thing for anyone to have to go through.
Couldn't think of anything worse than losing one of my children, best wishes to Liam manning
Not nice at all regards to him and all his fa.ily,we lost our grandson aged 4 on a life support machine switched of xmas night by the parents.
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 2:25 pm
Yeh, not nice, lost my daughter aged 14 to a drink driver 25 years ago, still feel it now 
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 2:36 pm
1980s Bluebird wrote:Yeh, not nice, lost my daughter aged 14 to a drink driver 25 years ago, still feel it now
Sadly we all have tragedies hidden away.
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Wed Mar 25, 2026 2:39 pm
montyblue wrote:1980s Bluebird wrote:Yeh, not nice, lost my daughter aged 14 to a drink driver 25 years ago, still feel it now
Sadly we all have tragedies hidden away.
Very true
Re: League One manager takes compassionate leave
Thu Mar 26, 2026 11:53 pm
After leading Bristol City into the Championship play-offs last season, Manning left Ashton Gate in June 2025 to take over at second tier rivals Norwich City.
He issued a statement through the League Managers Association, external at that time in which he said losing Theo was "the hardest thing my family and I have ever been through" and that he would be "forever grateful" for the support from Bristol City and their fans.
His spell at Norwich ended after just 17 games in November and he replaced Lee Grant as Huddersfield manager in January.
The Terriers, who are ninth in League One, are next in action on Friday, 3 April when they host fellow play-off hopefuls Reading.
He issued a statement through the League Managers Association, external at that time in which he said losing Theo was "the hardest thing my family and I have ever been through" and that he would be "forever grateful" for the support from Bristol City and their fans.
His spell at Norwich ended after just 17 games in November and he replaced Lee Grant as Huddersfield manager in January.
The Terriers, who are ninth in League One, are next in action on Friday, 3 April when they host fellow play-off hopefuls Reading.