Arre, transition metals have variable oxidation states because their (n-1)d and ns subshells are close in energy, so electrons can be pulled from both. Manganese shows the widest range from +2 to +7 because it has the maximum number of unpaired electrons in its 3d subshell to lose or share. Frankly, my real take? I'm convinced manganese is showing off, just like that over-achiever in my tuition class who always answers before the sir even finishes the question. My life right now is memorizing these exact oxidation states while my tanpura sits neglected in the corner, a silent reminder that some complexities are more beautiful than others.
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