Bristol City manager Liam Manning steps back after family tragedy

The club said the wider football family will share their deepest sympathies with the manager

Bristol City manager Liam Manning is to take a period of absence from his role at Ashton Gate following the tragic death of his baby son.

Little Theo John Manning was born recently, but has sadly passed away, and the club has said the thoughts of everyone at Ashton Gate and in the wider football world are with the Manning family.

In a statement, Bristol City said: "Everyone at Bristol City Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Liam's recently born son Theo John Manning.

"We know that Bristol City's supporters and the wider football family will share the condolences and deepest sympathy with Liam, his wife Fran and his son Isaac during this difficult period. Liam will take a period of absence and all football duties will be carried out by Chris Hogg. We ask that the privacy of Liam and his family is respected during this time," it added.

City's first team, without Liam Manning, travel to Middlesbrough for an away game this coming Saturday, October 19, and then face Stoke City away on Tuesday next week, before a match at home to Leeds United on the following Saturday.

The Ashton Gate side sit 16th in the EFL Championship, but are on a ten game unbeaten run at home in the league.