The present work investigated the potential of olefin metathesis with a series of Mn based complexes by exploring thermodynamics and energetics of homo metathesis with DFT. In the course of our investigation, we first compared isoelectronic iron and manganese complexes and later extended our test set to potentially more synthetically accessible carbonyl complexes. Our study highlights challenges that have to be addressed in the design of functional catalysts. Based on our findings we conclude: (i) The overall thermodynamics and free energy profiles for the metathesis cycle with Mn based systems are feasible and comparable to literature known Fe systems. (ii)