Liam Manning speaks on being sacked by Norwich as fans launch a petition against the club’s sporting director Ben Knapper.
The 40 year old, who departs the Canaries after 17 games and 7 straight home defeats for the 2025/26 season, issued a statement praising the “incredible spirit” of fans despite frustrations, thanking staff and players, and wishing the club well.
Meanwhile, over 1,300 fans have signed a petition in 48 hours demanding the removal of sporting director Ben Knapper, citing two years of poor decisions, squad mismanagement, and low morale.
The petition insists Knapper must not appoint the next head coach, with the club currently sitting 23rd in the Championship table with 9 points from 15 games.
Said it in a few places now – but Liam is a very decent human being and this is definitely what we got to see of him off camera.
I hope that in his next job, his personality and warmth can be translated through his interviews and to supporters. #NCFC
— Connor Southwell (@cjsouthwell1902) November 14, 2025
Latest on #ncfc head coach search…
Jon Dahl Tomasson and Gary O’Neil are definite contenders.
Understand Will Still and Russel Martin are out of the running, as things stand.
Have a feeling there may another couple of people in the mix, but no more info yet.
— Rob Butler (@BobRutler) November 14, 2025
LIAM MANING’S STATEMENT:
“I look back on being appointed Head Coach of my hometown club, Norwich City, with great pride. Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve the results or fulfil the plans we set out when we took over in June.
“Although my time with the fans was brief, I want to acknowledge their outstanding support during a challenging period. They continued to show up in great numbers – unsurprising given their passion and loyalty – and displayed incredible spirit despite understandable frustrations. Thank you.
“I also want to express my sincere thanks to Chris Hogg, James Krause and the rest of the staff, who worked tirelessly every day to turn things around. The club welcomed me warmly, and the dedication of everyone across all departments never went unnoticed. I am truly grateful for that.
“Finally, I would like to thank the players for their efforts throughout my time at the club and wish them all the best, both personally and professionally.
“I will now reflect on the last few months and enjoy some time with my family. I wish everyone associated with Norwich City the very best for the future.”
Liam
Wow, 1000 of your voices #ncfc fans 📣💚💛
What an incredible effort in just 48 hours 👏
Over to you @NorwichCityFC 👀
Remove Ben Knapper as Norwich City sporting director – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/PdTFi0sNTF via @UKChange
— Bridget James (@bmrjames) November 13, 2025
The change.org petition page reads: “For over two years, supporters of Norwich City Football Club have watched on with mounting frustration as Ben Knapper, the club’s Sporting Director, has overseen a series of disappointing, often baffling, decisions that have led to repeated failures and poor performance on and off the field.
“Creative players have been sold, injuries abound and the football strategy has lurched from one style to another in a short period, leaving behind a squad that is unfit for purpose and unable to adapt.
“Morale is at an all time low. Many NCFC fans, myself included, are exhausted and disillusioned by the continued reward of failure at the highest levels within our much loved football club and demand change.
“This petition calls for the immediate removal of Ben Knapper as Sporting Director at Norwich City. It is imperative that he plays no part in appointing the club’s next Head Coach.
“We need a fresh perspective, one that aligns Norwich City’s proud history with future aspirations.
“By signing this petition, we demonstrate our unrelenting commitment to drive positive change within our football club.
“We demand that our voices are heard and for the club to realign its direction alongside our passion and dedication.
“Please add your signature to urge club leadership to take necessary actions for a new, happier future for NCFC.”
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Here’s how fans reacted after Liam Manning speaks on being sacked by Norwich as fans launch a petition against Ben Knapper…
@CallumBatson: Add Webber and Adams to that
@CastCanary: Now more than ever, when the football club refuses to listen, believing they know better, is the time for Norwich City fans to get together and make their opinions heard #ncfc
@JohnWilson0812: Time to have a voice #ncfc fans
@RichardBalls: Let’s all behind this. We need our voices to be heard. #ncfc #knapperout
@bmrjames: If Knapper doesn’t shift, #ncfc will be pinning everything on the new coach. Once again. After 2 years of poor performance, Knapper should not be here to taint the new reign.
@Otbc1976: Get on board, don’t sit on your hands and expect change we all have a voice. OTBC
@kernow_canary: I wouldn’t leave this plonker in charge of watering my plants for a weekend, don’t leave him in charge of our #ncfc
@mattjohnson333: I said constantly throughout Mannings time as #ncfc boss that I wished he’d shown a bit of the real him and connected with the fans. I get the FA is obsessed with teaching young coaches to be robots but as this statement proves it comes over better. He had open goals to connect. An by open goals I mean, playing more on having a ST so understanding what It means, playing more on the fact it’s his home club, when asked about the derby show some spirit not “there’s bigger things that losing to Ipswich in life”. He had literally open goals to connect. It’s nice that he’s released a statement in this fashion. As like the Pinkun guys repeatedly said, Manning was a very different person when the cameras weren’t rolling. Just a shame he didn’t let more of this side out when they were. Then maybe the connection would’ve been there.
@JosephRounding: Classy. However I didn’t expect him to say anything to in depth about knapper or recruitment. Maybe in months to come he will.
@daniel_tortoise: I’d imagine there’s all manner of NDAs in place relating to that and limiting what is able to be said. This is a very standard, media-trained statement to be honest.
@bjbubbly: He deserves to find success, I wish it had worked out. Good luck Liam, I wish you and your family the best 💛💚🙏🏻
@Big_Slove: Classy bloke, no idea how it went so wrong given his prior success, real shame.
@Largey24: It’d be interesting to hear his thoughts on why it went so horribly wrong for him. Best wishes to him for the future #NCFC
@cdog10ncfc: If he was more like this in interviews he’d of probably got more time.
@StevoCook: Been very critical and dismissive of LM, but this is a well-crafted and classy statement
I’ve seen a couple of posts referencing this quote on the #ncfc timeline when talking about data and our shocking recruitment. I love Clough and many of his quotes show that some things in football remain true whatever the era. pic.twitter.com/N7kpWFT0iO
— Martin Betts (@quietlifeplease) November 14, 2025
