SAINTS signing Ryan Manning labelled his last few months “hectic” as he became a new father, departed his club and was faced with Premier League interest almost all at once.

The 27 year old Republic of Ireland international decided to follow former Swansea City boss Russell Martin to St Mary’s despite top-flight admirers making themselves known.

It is not the first time Manning – who had the best season of his career playing left-wing-back for Martin last campaign, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists – has made a big decision.

The former attacking midfielder turned down a move to Ipswich Town as a schoolboy to finish his studies in Ireland while also rejecting established Premier League interest to join QPR in 2015.

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Speaking exclusively with the Daily Echo out on the club’s pre-season tour in Turkey, less than a week after signing a four-year contract, Manning explained his choices.

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“I suppose when I was 17 the decision was purely just what would be the quickest way into the first team,” he told us.

“QPR was a Premier League team at the time, and when I came down it took a couple of years to break in but I knew there were going to be opportunities.

“If I had gone to a more established Premier League club at the time the opportunities would have been few and far between. That was a factor back then.

“With this one, I think the manager coming in was a big factor. I had a really good season last year and I was just looking to build on that,” Manning added.

“There was Premier League interest but this felt right for me and it was my gut feeling on things. Coming here was definitely what I wanted to do.

“I want to get promotion from the Championship into the Premier League and I think there is no better club to be at than here for that.”

The Echo’s pre-season tour coverage is supported by Grosvenor Casino

Daily Echo:

Manning was the top-performing full-back in the Championship last season and created more chances (89) than any other player.

Immediately after Martin was unofficially confirmed to be the next Saints manager – his official announcement took over a month – free agent Manning became a clear target for the club.

“It was a massive factor, I played two years under the gaffer and his staff and I loved the style of football in terms of my career and technically,” Manning insisted.

“It was the best season of my career under him last season so it was a huge factor to try and continue the journey we were on in playing style and trying to get promoted to the Premier League.

“I think with the club as it is and all the players in the building, it’s everyone’s aim to get back to the Premier League as quickly as possible. With the style of football, the manager and everything, it gives us the best chance of doing that.”

Daily Echo:

Manning immediately joined the team for their pre-season tour and, although he did not feature in the 1-1 draw with Goztepe after some minor tightness, he impressed in training.

He is juggling trying to integrate with his new club, with just days to prepare for the trip abroad, while also attempting to move his young family from Swansea to Hampshire.

“It’s been hectic, I’ve got a three-month-old baby so it’s been a hectic few months with the baby arriving, moving club and moving area,” Manning said, with a big smile on his face.

“There’s been a lot going on but my Mrs is really good with that, she’s been taking on a lot and she deserves credit with that – I’ve been able to focus on settling in.

“I’ve got a few viewings this week to try and see some potential houses this week so I’m hoping to settle into a routine quickly as it is a bit long getting everything to move across.

“However, it is minor really – the main thing is to get settled in with the boys, get fit and ready for the season.”

He added: “Straight into a trip abroad which probably isn’t ideal in one sense because you want to hit the ground running but it’s good to spend time around the group.

“Obviously I know some of the staff from Swansea very well but the rest of the staff, and to just get settled into the group is part and parcel of joining a new club.”

Daily Echo: Ryan Manning has signed

Although Manning has made the decision to follow his manager and stay in the Championship for at least next season, his ambition this year is clear.

Asked if he feels he will be ready to be a key Premier League starter next campaign if the club achieves their aims of promotion, he flung back: “100 per cent.

“I want to play my part and help the team by chipping in with goals and assists, helping us keep clean sheets first and foremost as a defender – just to build on last season.

“Hopefully we build a strong group here that can take on the philosophy of the manager quite quickly and hit the ground running in three weeks’ time.”

Manning also comes across as rather happy to have finally arrested his gradual move backwards on the football pitch.

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Signed as a teenager from the League of Ireland as an attacker, Manning ended up playing around 30 games of the 2021-22 season as a centre-back for Martin.

His role is now clear though and considering a training thunderstrike he wowed new teammates with, after we were granted access to the club’s session on Friday, it seems the right call.

“I ended up centre-half in COVID because you lost players back then. There was a big outbreak at the club and nobody to play there,” he revealed.

“The gaffer came to me and just asked me to look at it, he said you’d be on the ball a lot, it was left of a back three so not out and out centre-half. The way we played, it was sort of centre-left-back.

“I’d come off the back of the season before not playing as many games as I’d have wanted to so for me it was about getting minutes on the pitch and that was the biggest factor.”

Manning added: “I enjoyed playing there once I started and I think everyone at Swansea would say they loved the style of football, but last season I thought that time for me was probably over.

“We brought some players in to push me out to wing-back and that’s probably where I prefer to play, getting forward and looking to score a few more of those I did on Friday!”