Former MK Dons manager Liam Manning to leave Huddersfield Town

Former MK Dons manager Liam Manning is to leave Huddersfield Town with immediate effect.

Manning stepped back from his role with the Yorkshire club in late March for the remainder of the season for compassionate leave, citing ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his newborn son Theo in October 2024.

A decision has now been reached for Manning to part ways with Huddersfield altogether, in a decision the club said was reached by mutual consent.

Manning told the official Huddersfield Town website that he felt the decision was the best for all parties.

He said, “Stepping down from Huddersfield Town has been a difficult decision, but one I feel is best for the Club, my family and myself at this time.

“It has been a privilege to manage this team and be a part of this community. I am grateful to the fans for their support and compassion in recent months.

“The understanding and care from the Club has gone above and beyond, and I would like to thank Kevin Nagle, Chris Markham, the wider First Team staff and players for their professionalism, commitment and dedication in my absence.

“Although my time was shorter than I had hoped, I am grateful for the opportunity Kevin Nagle entrusted in me and wish nothing but success for Huddersfield Town moving forwards.”

Huddersfield Town Owner and Chairman Kevin Nagle added, “I want to pay huge tribute to Liam today. Stepping away from this role is the correct decision for him and his family, and that comes before absolutely everything else. His openness and honesty about this situation have been second-to-none.

“His time at Huddersfield Town had been relatively short but he has shown a deep care and respect for the Club in how he has dealt with us. He will always be a Terrier and is always welcome back at Accu Stadium.”

Manning had been appointed as Huddersfield Head Coach in January after the club sacked Lee Grant. His arrival at the club had come less than three months after he had left his role with Norwich City, whom he left in November after a difficult spell with his hometown club.

While working as Head Coach of Bristol City, Manning endured personal tragedy after the death of his son in October 2024. He had been taken a brief period of compassionate leave in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

Huddersfield previously confirmed Manning was granted compassionate leave in late March, with the club’s first team coaches Martin Drury and Jon Stead taking charge of the final 7 games of the season as the Terriers finished 9th in League One.

Manning previously managed MK Dons between August 2021 and December 2022, which was his first role as a senior manager in English football after impressing at Lommel SK in Belgian football and as a coach with youth teams in England and the USA.

He took the Dons to third in League One in his first season at Stadium MK, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion and losing to Wycombe in the play-offs, before he then left the Dons in December 2022 after a difficult start to the following campaign as the Dons struggled to an eventual relegation.