Liam Manning has no extra emotion ahead of facing Norwich City for the first time as a manager - despite being a former Carrow Road season ticket holder. 

The newly appointed Bristol City head coach hails from the Fine City and still has family connections to the county but has rejected suggestions he is a Canaries supporter after speculation on social media. 

Manning, who spent time at Norwich as a youth team player, went on to play for Ipswich and enjoyed a career in Suffolk and Norfolk non-league representing the likes of Leiston, Ipswich Wanderers and Wroxham before moving into coaching. 

He then spent time at Portman Road in the academy set-up before joining West Ham United as their U23s boss before his first break in senior management with Belgian side Lommel. 

A successful stint with MK Dons and then Oxford followed before his move to Ashton Gate last month. 

Despite his connections to Norwich, including his earliest memories of watching football, there is no added incentive for Manning to record victory against them on Sunday. 

"No (extra emotional attachment to the game). I love the city to be fair. My family live there and it's a really nice part of the world - North Norfolk especially," Manning said at his pre-match press conference. 

"It was actually the first club that I had a season ticket at so I have fond memories of the club and the area but I moved away when I was 15. It was during the early 90s with Jeremy Goss and people like that during the European run.

"I remember going as a kid to watch those. I was so young and only remember snippets of it to be fair. I won't reveal who I do support, but it's definitely not Norwich, I can tell you that."

Norwich Evening News: Norwich City travel to Ashton Gate hoping to rediscover some positivity.Norwich City travel to Ashton Gate hoping to rediscover some positivity. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Norwich travel to Ashton Gate with a low mood amongst their fanbase after a poor run of form in the Championship, but Manning is remaining focused on preparing his side for the clash. 

"I don't know what their expectations are, to be fair," he said. "My energy is here and making sure we do everything that we can ready to win on Sunday and make sure that we perform to the level that we are capable of.

"I said to the lads yesterday, if we can hit a level of performance like we did first half (against Southampton), we will win matches at this level. It's about adding the final touches. My energy is on us."