LIAM Manning has ended Oxford United’s 18-year curse to win a divisional manager of the month award.
United’s head coach has scooped August’s Sky Bet League One manager of the month gong, and in doing so become the club’s first divisional winner since Ramon Diaz in January 2005.
The U’s recovered from the 2-0 defeat at Cambridge United on the opening day of the season, to win all four fixtures last month in the third tier.
Those victories included trips to promotion hopefuls Derby County and Barnsley, bookended by home wins against Carlisle United and Charlton Athletic.
The 12-point haul ensured Manning’s side ended August top of the League One table.
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United’s boss was quick to praise his backroom staff, who he said were vital to the club’s start to the campaign.
Manning said: “It’s a mixed thing for me. I’m hugely proud and I’d never disrespect the award or the history behind it, or the pride of winning it, but for me it’s bigger picture stuff.
“I’m massively fortunate to have a terrific group of staff behind me.
“Hoggy’s [Chris Hogg, assistant head coach] been with me for a long time, as has Pricey [Lewis Price, goalkeeper coach].
“I’ve put them through a lot of stress and aggro, and that’s why for me it’s a staff of the month award, not a manager of the month – that’s probably the biggest message.”
Manning also commended his playing squad for their efforts in the opening month of the season.
He said: “It’s testament to what the players have delivered on the pitch and the work the staff have done all the way from the off-season to pre-season, to now.
“The award is a terrific achievement, but it doesn’t feel right that it’s a single person being highlighted for it.
“I’m only as good as the players and the culture that we have, and the staff around me.”
Manning, who was also shortlisted for the award in April, was twice League One manager of the month while in charge of MK Dons.
In winning it for the first time with the U’s, Manning beat competition from Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell, Port Vale boss Andy Crosby, and Shaun Maloney of Wigan Athletic.
Former United skipper Crosby recovered from a 7-0 defeat at Barnsley on the opening day to guide the Valiants to 10 points from their following four games.
Manning though becomes the first U’s boss to scoop a divisional manager of the month award since Diaz almost two decades ago.
The former Argentina international oversaw a six-game unbeaten run in January 2005, with four wins coming against Wycombe Wanderers, Yeovil Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Bristol Rovers in League Two.
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