Rob Edwards emerges as first name linked with Bristol City as Liam Manning nears Norwich switch | Bristol Live

Rob Edwards has been linked with a move to Bristol City amid speculation around the future of Liam Manning at Ashton Gate

Former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has emerged as the first name linked with the Bristol City head coach's job as Liam Manning closes in completing a move to Norwich City.

Having guided the Robins to their first play-off finish in 17 years this season, Bristol Live understands a deal is now close to being agreed for Manning, his assistant head coach Chris Hogg and coach James Krause to take over the reins at Carrow Road, with an announcement expected in the coming days.

Should the deal be completed as expected, City will be on the hunt for their third boss in just under two years. Of course, a whole host of names will likely be linked with the vacancy, particularly given the club's success this season, but it hasn't taken long for the first piece of real speculation to emerge.

Reports on Friday from ITV West Country suggested that former Luton, Watford and Forest Green Rovers boss Edwards will be interested in the vacant position at Ashton Gate if and when Manning's BS3 departure is confirmed.

Bristol Live understands such reports are correct and that Edwards would be interested in the expected vacancy in South Bristol.

The 42-year-old has been without a club since departing Luton Town in January of this year. Edwards' first job in management saw him guide Forest Green Rovers to League One as League Two champions in 2022 before he made the move to Vicarage Road.

Like many Watford managers both before and since, the former Wolves defender's time in charge of the Hornets was short as he was sacked and replaced by Slaven Bilic after just 10 Championship matches.

A matter of months later, Edwards took over the reins at Watford's rivals Luton Town after Nathan Jones left the Hatters to join Southampton. In his first season at Kenilworth Road, the 42-year-old guided Luton to the Premier League via the play-offs.

While the Hatters were relegated at the first time of asking, they received plenty of plaudits from managers and players alike for the way in which they approached the top flight.

Luton found life back in the Championship harder than most expected and Edwards was sacked early in January with the Hatters sitting 20th in the table. A late resurgence under Matt Bloomfield meant they came close to avoiding the drop but Luton were eventually relegated on the final day of the season.

Manning was first linked with the vacancy at Norwich City in the days following the Reds' play-off semi-final defeat to Sheffield United, with reports suggesting he was on the Canaries' shortlist alongside former City midfielder Gary O'Neil and former Red Bull Salzburg boss Pep Ljinders.

According to reports from The Telegraph, Norwich will have to pay the Robins compensation in the region of £800,000 for Manning's services.

Negotiations on the package given to the Reds are understood to be close to reaching a conclusion with the final discussions taking place at the Canaries' end. An announcement is expected in the coming days.