Oxford United have parted ways with Des Buckingham.Oxford United have parted ways with Des Buckingham.
Oxford United have parted ways with Des Buckingham. | Getty Images
Oxford United join Millwall in searching for a new head coach in the Championship after a recent managerial departure.
Former Crystal Palace, Millwall and Chelsea coaches have emerged as early frontrunners to take the hot seat at Oxford United after the Championship outfit parted ways with Des Buckingham.
The U's achieved promotion to the second tier via the League One play-offs under Buckingham last term but sit 20th in the Championship after 20 matches so far this term. Oxford United were beaten 3-1 at home against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and are without a win since the start of October.
The club confirmed the decision to part ways with Buckingham on Sunday in somewhat of an unexpected announcement. A statement read: "Oxford United can confirm that Des Buckingham has left his role as Men’s First Team Head Coach. Des was appointed in November 2023 and led the Club to promotion to the EFL Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.
"The Club would like to place on record its thanks to Des for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. The appointment of a new head coach will be confirmed in due course."
Des Buckingham has left Oxford United.Des Buckingham has left Oxford United.
Des Buckingham has left Oxford United. | Getty Images
Rowett has been out of work since a brief spell as interim boss at Birmingham City earlier this year. He has history with Stoke City, Derby County, Birmingham City and Burton Albion too.
Gary Rowett ready for Championship return
Speaking as he was linked with the Coventry City job last month, which eventually went to Frank Lampard, Rowett hinted at a return to management soon. He told GiveMeSport: "I’ve been out of work on three different occasions. The first time I just waited for my agent to call and it felt terrible.
"Now I’ve worked out how to manage my time more effectively. I don’t just sit by the phone hoping it rings. The next opportunity will come when it comes. Usually, you get offered work.
"In fact, I could have been back in a job just days after leaving Millwall [in October 2023], but it’s about waiting for the right opportunity. That’s the biggest challenge for any manager out of work.
“I have an agent who does the work for me and contacts clubs who have a vacancy. I’m running out of Midlands clubs! But what I would say is that Coventry is a big club. Coventry would be a fantastically attractive club for any Championship manager. And Burton Albion is another one. I have been there before and helped them out.
“I also worked in London for four years with Millwall, which was a great experience for me on and off the pitch. I am not specific about the geography. It just has to be a project that appeals to me and one where I feel I can make an impact."
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Chelsea and Crystal Palace legends linked with Oxford United job
Paddy McCarthy is another name that has emerged as an early frontrunner to take over at the Kassam Stadium. The former Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace centre-back is currently working as a first team coach at Crystal Palace.
The 41-year-old has overseen two matches as caretaker manager for The Eagles, following the sackings of Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson. He is yet to land his first role as head coach.
There's another familiar Premier League face linked with the Oxford United job at this early stage, albeit as a slightly more distant favourite than more experienced Championship options. That is former Chelsea defender John Terry.
John Terry had previously ruled out a return to management.John Terry had previously ruled out a return to management.
John Terry had previously ruled out a return to management.
The 44-year-old has been working in the Chelsea Academy having worked as an assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa and Leicester City. Terry has been linked with management jobs in the past but, in 2023, he hinted that he would not be interested in such a role.
He said: “I’m done from a managerial point of view. The only job I’d come out of my kind of retirement for would be the Chelsea job - to be involved in some capacity with a first-team role.
“I love my role at the minute, working with the younger players. Because I’ve been through that process as a kid myself I’m passing on my knowledge to them, having loads of conversations with them.”
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