Liam Manning granted compassionate leave by Huddersfield for rest of the season

Huddersfield have granted manager Liam Manning compassionate leave for the rest of the 2025/26 season.

The 40-year-old lost his newborn son Theo in October 2024 while he was manager of Bristol City.

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Manning took a two-week leave of absence immediately after the tragedy and will now take additional time off at the Accu Stadium.

A club statement read: “Liam has made the Club aware of ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his newborn son Theo in October 2024, and he will now be given time away from his professional duties.

“Liam, his wife Fran, their eldest son Isaac, and the entire Manning family have the full support of everyone at Huddersfield Town, and we will keep in regular contact with Liam and those close to him.

“We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time.

“Our Men’s First Team will be led jointly by Martin Drury and Jon Stead for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, with ongoing support from our wider existing Men’s First Team staff.”

Manning was appointed Huddersfield manager in January after Lee Grant was dismissed.

The Terriers have since slipped from sixth to ninth in League One, sitting three points off the play-off places.

Manning began the season as Norwich manager after narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League with Bristol City last season.

He swapped clubs in the Championship after the Robins were beaten by Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals.

Manning’s stock was high after an impressive campaign at Ashton Gate and Leicester also considered appointing him.

However, the Englishman was sacked by the Canaries in November just 17 matches into his reign at Carrow Road.

More to follow.