Bristol City's play-off heartbreak offers hope for the future - But only if Liam Manning is backed | OneFootball

Bristol City's play-off achievement highlights progress, but backing Liam Manning this summer is key to a 2025/26 promotion challenge.

Despite Bristol City's play-off heartbreak at the hands of Sheffield United, there are genuine positives to take into the 2025/26 season under Liam Manning.

However, if the Robins are to continue their upward trajectory, the club must provide their head coach with suitable backing this summer.

A bitter ending doesn't define the season for Bristol City

Losing 6-0 on aggregate to Sheffield United was a sour end to a season otherwise full of progress. But considering the 22-point gap between the two sides by the end of the league campaign, the defeat shouldn't be a cause for alarm among Robins fans.

Clinching a top-six finish on the final day was a remarkable achievement, especially given where the club stood when Manning took charge in November 2023. The 38-year-old has since demonstrated that there's a clear path forward at Ashton Gate.

With this in mind, ample backing will need to be provided over the summer months if the club wish to keep Manning in charge, who has recently been linked with a move away.

Could a move away from Bristol City be tempting for Liam Manning

City head coach Manning has seen his stock rise sharply following an impressive first full campaign in charge at Ashton Gate. Understandably, this has not gone unnoticed by fellow Premier League-chasing clubs.

As reported by Ben Jacobs, recently relegated Leicester City are keeping tabs on Manning, with the Foxes looking to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking. Meanwhile, Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett has linked Sheffield Wednesday's Danny Röhl, alongside former promotion-winning manager Russell Martin, who took Southampton to the Premier League via the play-offs twelve months ago.

Being a potential tempting candidate for the job at the King Power Stadium, Manning has also been touted by bookmakers for the vacant job at Norwich City after it was confirmed that Jack Wilshere would not be continuing with the Canaries.

Speaking exclusively with Football League World recently, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman described Manning's links with Norwich as a "natural link", with the 38-year-old hailing from the city and being part of the club's academy setup from 1999 to 2002 before switching to arch-rivals, Ipswich Town.

With recent promotion history for both Leicester and Norwich in 2024 and 2021, respectively, both offers could be tempting for Manning after his impressive season guiding an unfancied Bristol City outfit into the Championship play-offs.

Despite interest elsewhere, there is a strong case to be made that Bristol City could be on the verge of becoming a top Championship contender in their own right.

Speaking to Football League World after the play-off exit, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton said: "It's only Nahki Wells out of contract. He's been a key player for a few seasons now, but I think that there is a real nucleus there of a team that can make a dent in the Championship."

He added: "Maybe with the addition of a few goals up top, and a bit of experience, you might see a Robins promotion push."

From a 19th-placed finish just four years ago to their first play-off appearance in 17 years, the Robins are trending in the right direction under Manning's leadership.

A crucial summer ahead for Bristol City

Heading into the summer, Bristol City must resist the temptation to stand still. Simply basking in the achievement of reaching the play-offs won't be enough, especially if they want to convince Manning to stay.

Adding more experience and attacking firepower could transform City from plucky underdogs into genuine promotion contenders, with the right additions potentially shifting the club's perception and increasing belief heading into next term.

With recently relegated sides Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton likely to be early favourites for promotion, the competition will be fierce. But for clubs like Bristol City, this summer offers a real opportunity to stake their claim and push toward the Premier League dream. Back Manning, and who knows what can happen.