From £2 Coaching Sessions to Leading Manchester United: Liam Manning's Remarkable Journey

Liam Manning wears a smile as he faces professional footballers at his doorstep, wondering why they are not in the game. Though it may seem like an undesirable task, he would rather engage in these conversations all day than receive phone calls from enraged parents expressing their disappointment about their child not being included in his starting lineup.

"Parents are even worse, 10 times worse!" he jokes, playfully exaggerating.

At only 38 years old, the Oxford United boss possesses an impressive background with 17 years of coaching experience. He began his coaching journey at the young age of 21, following a brief career as a player.

Now the head coach of an established Sky Bet League One club, Manning reflects on the challenges and triumphs that led to his current role. He vividly remembers his time coaching for a mere £2 per session during his early days.

"I had a scholarship, spent a year playing abroad, and went through a difficult six months," Manning reveals. "I had to accept that my dream of becoming a professional player hadn't materialized. I became a semi-professional, earning a small amount, while also conducting coaching sessions in the evenings - it was a means of getting by."

I also did it out of my love for coaching. It all started when I met a PE teacher who requested me to conduct sessions with the girls at their school - and that's how this story unfolded.

I had the opportunity to coach various age groups such as U7s, U8s, U9s, U14s, and work with day release, as well as observe U18s. It reminds me of the concept of the 10,000-hour rule, where gaining experience and dedicating oneself to improvement through hard work is essential for coaching. Each of these experiences has contributed to shaping me into the manager I am today.

Throughout Manning's coaching journey, which includes stints at West Ham U23s, Ipswich, Belgian club Lommel SK, and MK Dons, his time spent in New York proved to be a catalyst for profound development in his perspectives - both within and beyond the confines of the field.

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Manning managed MK Dons from August 2021 to December 2022

He was offered the position of Academy Director at New York City - part of the City Football Group (CFG) in April 2019, which eventually led to his role at Lommel.

"I gained valuable experience," he reflects. "I consider myself very lucky. The squad planning and recruitment work this summer at Oxford has been crucial for my development."

When going to New York, one of the major aspects of personal growth is the ability to adapt to a new culture and environment. With 42 different nationalities in the academy, it provided an excellent opportunity to enhance those skills. This experience was truly amazing and it positively contributed to my personal growth as an individual and as a coach.

After successfully keeping the U's in League One last season, this summer presented an opportunity for a fresh start.

In the transfer window, the club acquired 11 fresh players, including Josh McEachran, a former Chelsea academy prospect, and Ruben Rodrigues, a forward from Notts County. In contrast, they let go of 17 members from their previous season's squad.

Having secured four victories out of five in August, it seems that the new team has integrated smoothly. However, Manning acknowledged that it has presented an intriguing challenge for him and his support staff.

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The 38-year-old took over control of the Kassam Stadium in March. "The most challenging aspect is striking the right balance within the team, whether it involves age, experience, or complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses," he explains.

Discovering information about players' characters can be a challenging task. However, we prioritize individuals and have had the pleasure of welcoming some outstanding individuals this summer.

Our support staff has done an exceptional job in ensuring that the new players feel at home. Additionally, we organized a family day during pre-season to prioritize the well-being of our players and their loved ones. Recognizing and involving our partners, who often endure significant stress throughout the year, is equally crucial in fostering a sense of value and belonging.

"We make extensive efforts to comprehend the players, enabling them to simply excel on the field."

Upon Karl Robinson's departure as the previous Oxford manager in March, the responsibility for any new manager was immense, necessitating significant alterations.

After enduring seven defeats in eight matches, the club found themselves in a challenging predicament. However, Manning's leadership led them to safety, with a noticeable shift in mindset serving as a significant motivation.

When questioned about the fundamental message he imparts to his players, Manning emphasizes the importance of "culture and non-negotiables." He divides it into three aspects - prioritizing the team above all else, embracing values as individuals, and exhibiting professional behaviors. This approach emphasizes collective effort rather than relying solely on oneself.

"We prioritize treating individuals with respect, even in a competitive industry. Our club consistently emphasizes the importance of culture. By instilling the right behaviors, we have the ability to nurture individuals who possess versatile skills beyond just football. One such promising player is Tyler Goodrham, a 20-year-old midfielder who has made an impressive start for the U's. He has particularly caught attention as he recently received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad. Keep an eye on him as he is expected to make waves in League One in the coming months."

Goodrham, who scored an impressive goal on his debut last season and followed it up with another great goal against Charlton in August, undoubtedly possesses raw talent, a quality that Manning is eager to cultivate. Manning acknowledges Goodrham's immense potential but highlights the importance of consistently delivering strong performances. Throughout my career in youth development, I have witnessed the challenge that young players face in balancing exceptional moments with solid fundamentals. Fortunately, Tyler has demonstrated a commendable level of discipline and foundational skills.

Tyler has reached an impressive stage where he has demonstrated his abilities. His personality is contagious, he possesses a deep love for football, and is motivated by the right things. Additionally, he is open to honest conversations, which will further contribute to his personal development. The current challenge lies in ensuring that he maintains this level of performance consistently over an extended period of time. Despite a disappointing loss to Port Vale at the beginning of September, Manning can still be proud of his team, who currently hold the seventh position in League One.

And with plenty of new names and exciting, young talent to choose from at Oxford United, it is evident those long nights in East Anglia as a 21-year-old coach are a fond, but very distant, memory.