Danny McManus, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' longtime assistant general manager, will remain with the team. General manager Kyle Walters made the announcement while speaking with the media on Wednesday.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have reportedly asked permission to pursue McManus for the vacant general manager position. last week, although it is unclear whether a formal interview took place. The job has been vacant since then. Ted GouveiaMcManus's longtime colleague and close friend died in September.
McManus played for the Tiger-Cats for eight seasons from 1998 to 2005 and led the club to its most recent Gray Cup title. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach and scout in Steeltown, although he has worked in Winnipeg's personnel department since 2014.
The 60-year-old Dania Beach, Florida native threw for 53,239 yards, 259 touchdowns and 281 interceptions in 17 CFL seasons with Winnipeg, BC, Edmonton and Hamilton. He won five Gray Cups, including two with the Blue Bombers.
“We’re excited about the organization,” Walters said. “It's a new phase from where we started to where we've reached, taking a little step back, so now it's a new challenge for Mike (O'Shea), myself, Danny and the team.”
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 10–8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as a crossover team before losing in the East semi-finals to the Montreal Alouettes. Zach Collaros threw for 3,048 yards, 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 13 regular-season games while going 6-7 as a starter.
The Blue Bombers ranked fifth in net offense, third in net defense and eighth with a minus-eleven turnover margin. The club's leading rusher was Brady Oliveira with 1,163 yards, the leading receiver was Nick Demski with 1,001 yards, and the leading tackler was Tony Jones with 104 tackles. Winnipeg ranked first in attendance with an average attendance of 32,343, up 3.7 per cent from the previous year.
