Manning set to leave Oxford

F

FY4Representer

Well-known member
Off to Bristol City apparently. Poor timing for Oxford but understandable from Manning’s point of view - decent move for him I’d say.

Manning was my number one choice prior to hiring Appleton, be interesting to see how he copes with the championship.
 
Couldn't be worse timing for Oxford really. They're doing so well and this could seriously derail their season. Be interesting to see who they get in tp replace him if this turns out to be true.
 
Unfortunately this is the reality that many of us face. There’s always a bigger fish wanting to pick off your manager & players, the moment you seem to be making progress.

It was a huge set back when we lost Critchley and in many ways the timing of this is far worse for Oxford.
 
Bristol have a new co-owner who seemingly is looking to prove himself to the fans, and invest. Only reason I can think Manning would go. That and the young side they have
 
With betting suspended looks like he's gone. I'd be raging if I was an Oxford fan. They took a punt on him and gave him. Job when no one was interested and he jumps ship first chance he gets. That's the modern game though, all about money. Realistically though, I dont see his lasting too long at city, that's been a bit of a poisoned chalice in recent years. The board are desperate to get to the prem, but don't have the budget to really challenge. They want miracles off their managers and so far haven't got them.
 
This is bad for Oxford but could be good for us if it derails their season. It’s a cruel game sometimes. Just when you think you’re turning a corner you get the rug pulled from beneath you. Eustace could be a good shout for them if he is willing to drop a level.
 
Kyle Seasider said:
With betting suspended looks like he's gone. I'd be raging if I was an Oxford fan. They took a punt on him and gave him. Job when no one was interested and he jumps ship first chance he gets. That's the modern game though, all about money. Realistically though, I dont see his lasting too long at city, that's been a bit of a poisoned chalice in recent years. The board are desperate to get to the prem, but don't have the budget to really challenge. They want miracles off their managers and so far haven't got them.
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Never mind "that's the modern game..." it's poor. I'll never accept that, not off him, not off Critchley, not off Evatt or anyone.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Never mind "that's the modern game..." it's poor. I'll never accept that, not off him, not off Critchley, not off Evatt or anyone.
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Money has attracted the best players and the best managers since ‘Professional Football’ became a thing. It’s been an inherent part of the game from the outset.

If you read this board, there’s plenty of fans who would have seen Critchley down the road after a few games (both this time and last). We had fans chanting “Sacked in the Morning” to Appleton at Wigan last year!!

We had a promotion and a fantastic first season in the Championship with Chris Maxwell. A loyal and generally decent lad, who became the butt of our fans’ ire due to a few under par performances (when the whole team was playing shyte).

Loyalty works both ways or not at all and personally, I don’t blame anyone for trying to better themselves or gain a few extra quid. Football can be a very short career, depending on how things pan out and it makes sense to make hay while you can. You’ll get no loyalty from the fans when things go wrong..
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Money has attracted the best players and the best managers since ‘Professional Football’ became a thing. It’s been an inherent part of the game from the outset.

If you read this board, there’s plenty of fans who would have seen Critchley down the road after a few games (both this time and last). We had fans chanting “Sacked in the Morning” to Appleton at Wigan last year!!

We had a promotion and a fantastic first season in the Championship with Chris Maxwell. A loyal and generally decent lad, who became the butt of our fans’ ire due to a few under par performances (when the whole team was playing shyte).

Loyalty works both ways or not at all and personally, I don’t blame anyone for trying to better themselves or gain a few extra quid. Football can be a very short career, depending on how things pan out and it makes sense to make hay while you can. You’ll get no loyalty from the fans when things go wrong..
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I'm not talking about any confected loyalty to fans or a town. However,I do believe that a manager/head coach should have a loyalty to his players - certainly until the end of the season and, in some circumstances, beyond that.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
I'm not talking about any confected loyalty to fans or a town. However,I do believe that a manager/head coach should have a loyalty to his players - certainly until the end of the season and, in some circumstances, beyond that.
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Again, I don’t think it’s necessary… It’s certainly not a loyalty that would be reciprocated and I think both Players and Managers have their eyes open in that respect.

I can only speak from a personal perspective, but I don’t see the point in wasting my own energy or emotion on being bothered by it , beyond the obvious and immediate disappointment.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Again, I don’t think it’s necessary… It’s certainly not a loyalty that would be reciprocated and I think both Players and Managers have their eyes open in that respect.

I can only speak from a personal perspective, but I don’t see the point in wasting my own energy or emotion on being bothered by it , beyond the obvious and immediate disappointment.
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Well I do think it's necessary, so there!
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Again, I don’t think it’s necessary… It’s certainly not a loyalty that would be reciprocated and I think both Players and Managers have their eyes open in that respect.

I can only speak from a personal perspective, but I don’t see the point in wasting my own energy or emotion on being bothered by it , beyond the obvious and immediate disappointment.
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I'm surprised there isn't a managerial transfer window. It's not like anyone coming in can really shake up the squad, as he can't sign anyone until January.
 
Wizaard said:
I'm surprised there isn't a managerial transfer window. It's not like anyone coming in can really shake up the squad, as he can't sign anyone until January.
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I can’t see how it would work in practice really.

Would you (for example) prevent a Club from changing a manager altogether or would you allow Clubs to sack a manager, but not for a manager to be poached from another club outside the window?

Would you have a half term window and if you did would that not just create a situation where Clubs made rash choices do as not to miss the opportunity?

It feels like something that has the potential to cause widespread chaos.
 
I suppose to, keep @neyo spirits up, th world and his dog would have expected Plymouth to collapse when Lowe left but actually, they got better...
 
td53 said:
I suppose to, keep @neyo spirits up, th world and his dog would have expected Plymouth to collapse when Lowe left but actually, they got better...
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Haha thanks mate. We're all hoping Manning does a Brannagan - heard they fish together. But writing looks to be on the wall... He's been excellent, but didn't expect him to be poached THAT quickly.
 
neyo said:
View attachment 17136

Looks like it's done. We go again!
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Here's one for you Neyo.

Manning has had his head turned and has left you. Over the next 18 months it doesn't work out for him and the manager/s Oxford bring in have been dogshit.
At the beginning of the 25/26 season Manning is unveiled as the new Oxford manager.
How would the majority of Oxford fans react?
 
Wizzerboy said:
Here's one for you Neyo.

Manning has had his head turned and has left you. Over the next 18 months it doesn't work out for him and the manager/s Oxford bring in have been dogshit.
At the beginning of the 25/26 season Manning is unveiled as the new Oxford manager.
How would the majority of Oxford fans react?
Click to expand...
Had a quick look today and saw a few 🐍 emojis.

Tbf to Critchley he actually achieved something here over a number of years, left in the off season, not mid season.

I wonder if Manning will say goodbye? 😂
 
Wizzerboy said:
Here's one for you Neyo.

Manning has had his head turned and has left you. Over the next 18 months it doesn't work out for him and the manager/s Oxford bring in have been dogshit.
At the beginning of the 25/26 season Manning is unveiled as the new Oxford manager.
How would the majority of Oxford fans react?
Click to expand...
Assuming it's all announced tomorrow morning, I think a lot of the fanbase will see him as a snake as @JJpool mentions. To go so quickly at the first sniff of something 'bigger' just seems like he had no love for the club (which is in contrast to what he said to fans and signings alike). That being said, the level headed fans amongst us will probably say...

He joined, we were on our way to League 2, he kept us up, helping shape an incredible summer transfer window and leaves us second. Not a bad turn around which opens the door to perhaps better candidates this time around?

Would I want him back, given all of this? No, if he left 'on better terms' on not a drop of the hat, perhaps?
 
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