Liam Manning sacked by Norwich after poor run

Norwich have sacked head coach Liam Manning following their late 2-1 defeat to Leicester at Carrow Road.

The Canaries have now lost all seven of their home matches in the Championship this season, with another reverse coming in the Carabao Cup, as pressure built on Manning who departs with the side four points adrift of the safety line.

Sporting director Ben Knapper said: “We have tried absolutely everything possible to work through this incredibly challenging period but, unfortunately, given the recent run of results and performances, we have been left with no choice other than to make a change at this stage.

“We very much understand the frustration and criticism from our supporters at this stage. So far, results and performances on the pitch haven’t been good enough.

“We accept that responsibility but it’s now imperative we start to repair the relationship with our supporters and do everything we can to give them something to get behind.”

After going ahead on 62 minutes through Mathias Kvistgaarden’s second goal in successive games, Norwich were pegged back by substitute Bobby Cordova-Reid 10 minutes later and then suffered a nightmare conclusion when Jordan James head home a dramatic second for the visitors.

Asked whether that could spell the end for him, Manning, who was only appointed in the summer, said prior to his sacking: “Who knows, we’ll see. I am sure there will be conversions coming up.

“I am sure there will be lots of noise and speculation. I need to go home and reflect on things, it’s too early after the game to say more than that, but I don’t feel great.”

Norwich had given themselves a decent chance of ending their nightmare home run when Kvistgaarden opened the scoring.

The young Dane was quick to react when his shot was blocked, producing a fine low finish into the bottom corner from just outside the block to briefly lift the mood at Carrow Road.

But it did not last, with Decordova-Reid equalising with a crisp volleyed finish before James nodded home Abdul Fatawu’s cross from the right to complete the comeback two minutes into injury-time.

Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes was pleased with his side’s reaction to Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough, when their opponents scored in injury-time to grab an equaliser.

“I am very happy for the players after what happened in midweek,” he said.

“It was a tough blow when we conceded late in that one and the players have come out today and given a really good response to that disappointment.

“After going behind we showed great character to come back. We had the bravery to keep playing our football and obviously to come away with all three points is very pleasing.

“Although Norwich are struggling at the moment it’s still a big club with good players and this is a good win for us.

“But there is no room for complacency there are still a lot of things we need to do better, things we can work on with the players who are with us in the international break.”