In Profile: Ryan Manning

Manning was born in Galway, Ireland. The same place where he made his first steps in senior football 17 years later at League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and later Galway United.

The 2014/15 season at Galway proved to be a memorable one, winning promotion to the Premier Division through the play-offs. Manning scoring in both legs.

His move to English football was instigated by Harry Redknapp at Queens Park Rangers, who fought off Premier League competition for the 18-year-old’s signature in January 2015.

“He is a busy player who can play off the left or in behind the striker,” said Redknapp. “He is still young and has a lot to learn but it’s a good gamble for us to take.”

It was a gamble that eventually paid off for club and player, but patience was needed on both sides.

After Redknapp’s departure Manning had to wait until the arrival of Ian Holloway for his first involvement in the QPR first team.

December 2016 saw the youngster given his debut at Wolves, helping his injury-hit side end a six-game losing streak and impressing his manager in the process.

“I think Ryan Manning was absolutely outstanding and epitomised what my QPR was before and what I want it to be in the future,” hailed Holloway.

This outing at Molineux Stadium proved to light the touch paper for Manning, who started the next two games, extending the run to three wins in a row, before being awarded a new contract by the club. Just three weeks later.

“It’s been a whirlwind to be honest,” said the then 20-year-old, “I’ve enjoyed every minute and now the contract is sorted I’m really hoping I can kick on.”

Kick on he certainly did, ending the month with his first QPR goal against west London rivals Fulham before going on to make 14 further appearances in the Championship.

After building his experience with a further 21 appearances in season two at the Rs, Manning spent the first half of the 2018/19 season on loan at Rotherham United. He went on to make 18 appearances and score four goals, further emphasising the attacking qualities to his game, before being recalled by QPR in January.

During this time, Manning received his first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad, ticking another box at just 22.

After scoring nine goals in 96 appearances in west London, Manning was on the move in October 2020, making it a third country of residence in 24 years as he arrived in south Wales.

His Swansea career got off to a positive start, a 2-0 win at home to Stoke City which continued his side’s early season rise the table.

After a stop-start remainder of the COVID-hit 2020/21 season, the following campaign saw Manning become a stalwart in the Swansea starting XIs across both centre-back and left midfield.

This run of form warranted a full senior international debut soon in November 2020 – a Nations League game against Bulgaria.

Last season saw Manning used between left back and left midfield, which proved to be the winning formula for a certain Russell Martin.

He contributed 15 goal involvements in 43 Championship games, leading the league for assists and earning him the club’s supporter’s player of the season award.

Speaking on the award Manning told the club website: “I feel this has definitely been the best season of my career, that is testament to the players I train and play with every week, as well as the gaffer and all the staff.”