LIAM Manning has laid claim to being the youngest ever manager in the Metaltec SIL after taking over as joint boss of Senior Division Melton St Audry's.

Elvin King

LIAM Manning has laid claim to being the youngest ever manager in the Metaltec SIL after taking over as joint boss of Senior Division Melton St Audry's.

The 23-year-old former youth player with Ipswich Town was due to be in charge for his first game last weekend but the Saints' match with Framlingham Town fell foul of the winter weather.

He has replaced Simon Fryatt in the hot seat at St Audry's and has Matt Smith, 32, as joint manager.

“Both Matt and myself have UEFA B coaching badges and felt now was the time to go into senior management,” said Manning, who has switched from Ridgeons League Wroxham having started the season with Woodbridge Town.

“I may be starting young but I enjoy coaching and feel that the time is right.

“We met the players the week after Christmas and both Matt and myself feel we can take the club forward.

“With the facilities available reaching the Ridgeons League is an achievable goal.”

This is the first time that Manning has been involved in the SIL having played in Iceland for ten months after being released by Ipswich Town.

And it was in the land of geysers and rocky terrain that he first took an interest in coaching.

Manning, who is to carry on playing, recalled: “A lad called Craig Bean was at the same club as I was having previously been with Manchester United.

“He was keen on coaching, and set up his own soccer school. I ended up helping him, and it has all gone from there.”

Manning coaches at the Ipswich Town academy where he has been for two years acting as skills coach for the nine, 10 and 11-year-olds, and running the Under-13 side.

He is available to play again from this Saturday having picked up a suspension while with Wroxham in December, and wants to build on the good results achieved by Fryatt over the previous five years.

Manning met Smith at Ipswich Town when he was playing with Smith having been coaching at Playford Road now for eight years.

“Matt has also signed on as a player for St Audry's,” added Manning.

Smith has been running the Coggeshall second team and been involved in coaching in all levels at the Essex club.