Norwich City: Liam Manning on Marcelino Nunez Ipswich exit

The Canaries’ head coach delivered his first public reaction since the shock transfer after Saturday’s 2-0 Championship win at Blackburn.

This was Manning’s full post-match transcript at Ewood Park.

“I totally understand (the fan reaction). Trust me, no decision was made without thinking through the impact. When you look at it, ultimately, we had someone who didn’t want to be here, who had said he didn’t want to be in the Championship, and didn’t want to sign a new deal.

‘When you get to that position it is difficult. You look at this game and the scenes at the end. I want players who are all-in and willing to go above and beyond for the shirt and the club. That is huge.

‘When you have someone who doesn’t want to do that, and an offer comes to the table, it is huge. But extremely difficult for everybody involved. We take our jobs extremely seriously and the positions we are in. It’s an incredible fee, hence because of who we have sold him to, but that then allows further investment in the squad, the academy, other areas of the club.

‘For someone who could have walked out in January for free it is one of those. You have the emotional bit and the element where you also have to think about what does that allow the club to do moving forward.

‘Before I came in there had been those discussions (he didn’t want to sign a new deal). It was quite clear. He didn’t want to be in the Championship. It is an extremely strange one that his people brought this to the table.

“We understand it. We are not oblivious to the impact it would have, but I want to stress I want players who are all-in.

‘I have just come from a changing room where I have lads who can trust each other. When you step on that pitch you need to know the person next to you is willing to go above and beyond. If people aren’t, or not willing to do that, then I don’t think we want those people at the club.’

Manning spoke exclusively to the Pinkun on Saturday afternoon to reflect on his side’s Ewood Park win, Josh Sargent’s future and the closing days of the transfer window.