Huddersfield Town have permitted their manager, Liam Manning, to step away from his role with immediate effect, granting him compassionate leave until the end of the current League One campaign.
The Yorkshire club announced on Wednesday morning that the 40-year-old had informed them of continuing personal difficulties connected to the death of his infant son Theo, who passed away in October 2024.
Manning's baby boy died shortly after birth, a tragedy that previously saw the manager take a fortnight away from his duties whilst in charge at Bristol City.
The Terriers confirmed Manning would now receive time away from his professional responsibilities for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
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Assistant coaches Martin Drury and Jon Stead will assume joint responsibility for the first team throughout the remaining fixtures of the campaign, supported by existing coaching staff.
In their official statement, the club emphasised their unwavering backing for the manager during this difficult period.
The club said: "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."
The Terriers also requested that media and supporters respect the family's privacy as Manning takes this extended period away from football.
Huddersfield Town have permitted their manager, Liam Manning, to step away from his role with immediate effect
|GETTY
Manning arrived at the Accu Stadium in January following the dismissal of Lee Grant, stepping down a division after his brief and turbulent spell at Norwich City.
The Englishman had started the current season with the Canaries but was dismissed in November after just 17 matches at Carrow Road.
His appointment at Norwich came on the back of an impressive 2023/24 campaign with Bristol City.
He narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion after the Robins fell to Sheffield United in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
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Liam Manning was granted compassionate leave until the end of the current League One campaign
|GETTY
Upon joining Huddersfield, Manning enjoyed a strong start.
He won his opening three league fixtures in charge of the Terriers.
Recent weeks have proved more challenging, with the Yorkshire team managing only two victories from their previous nine league outings.
Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Plymouth in what was considered a crucial promotion clash left Manning visibly frustrated.
Liam Manning's baby boy died shortly after birth
|GETTY
He described the display as "probably the worst since we've been here" in post-match comments to the club's official channel.
Huddersfield currently occupy ninth position in League One.
They sit just three points adrift of the play-off places with seven matches remaining.
Drury and Stead will take charge for the first time when Reading visit on Good Friday, before trips to Leyton Orient and fixtures against Wycombe Wanderers, Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Mansfield Town and AFC Wimbledon conclude the campaign on May 2.
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