Des Buckingham’s exploits at Oxford United are likely to earn top-flight attention, but he should refrain from being too hasty in potentially leaving the Kassam Stadium just yet – with Nathan Jones in mind.

Oxford-born Buckingham returned to his hometown in November 2023 and successfully guided the U’s to promotion at the end of the season, seeing off Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the League One play-off final.

During the off-season, Oxford lost star winger Josh Murphy, who scored both goals at Wembley in May, to Portsmouth on a free transfer but Buckingham dealt with the blow by signing the likes of Siriki Dembele and Malcolm Ebiowei across a productive summer window.

It placed them in good stead for their long-awaited return to the Championship, where they have started in impressive form.

Oxford United’s start to the 2024/25 Championship season

Oxford may have been widely tipped to battle against relegation this term, although they have quickly sought to disprove doubters by enjoying a strong start to the new season.

They got their season off to the best start by beating Norwich City 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium in a head-turning opening day victory. After eight outings, Oxford are yet to lose on home soil and have won three matches, while they recently took points from newly-relegated duo Luton Town and Burnley.

Buckingham has led the side up to 11th-place and they will fancy their chances on Saturday afternoon against Portsmouth, who are all the way down in 23rd and will be heading into the fixture off the back of a bruising 6-1 loss to Stoke City midweek.

Des Buckingham is open about Oxford United future

Buckingham recently spoke to supporters on BBC Radio Oxford’s ‘The Dub’ podcast, where he was quizzed on whether he would remain with the U’s until the end of the season.

The 39-year-old admitted interest from opposition clubs after guiding Oxford to promotion. He insisted that his immediate future lies with the club, although he has made no long-term guarantees owing to the unpredictable nature of football and its invariable managerial turnover.

“I don’t think that’s sometimes in my hands [whether Buckingham will stay the season at Oxford]. I think I’m sitting just under the top third of managers still in their jobs when I was appointed last November, which shows how volatile this career path can be,” he said, via the Oxford Mail.

“What I will say is that certainly since Wembley, I’ve had the opportunity where other people were interested. They’re not of interest to me.

“I can never say never, it’s not the reality of the world we work. I want to coach at the highest level. That is what I’m doing right now.

“I’ve no plan, and if you said to me a club, would that be of interest, I honestly couldn’t answer you.”

Des Buckingham must avoid Nathan Jones, Southampton mistake

Buckingham evidently remains focused on the task at hand right now, which is continuing Oxford’s strong start and helping to solidify them in the Championship.

But in doing so, of course, interest is bound to be generated as the season goes on. It would not be unreasonable to predict that Premier League clubs may well be keeping a watchful eye, and Buckingham has a strong reputation as a young and progressive boss who came out of the City Football Group empire with Mumbai City.

Alongside that, you have his ability to be resourceful with a limited budget and manage young talent. Buckingham ticks plenty of boxes and the likelihood of continued interest is a testament to him, but he should keep the cautionary tale of Nathan Jones in mind.

Jones, who had perhaps done an even more impressive job with Luton in between a brief and unsuccessful stint at Stoke City, jumped at the chance to earn his stripes in the Premier League in 2022. Southampton came calling and Jones made the move to St Mary’s following the sacking of Ralph Hassenhuttl, signing a three-and-a-half year deal.

However, the Welshman quickly found the Premier League to be one step too far.

He proceeded to lose nine of his fourteen games in charge and completely lost the supporters before receiving his marching orders after just three months. Jones returned to management with a tattered reputation a year later, joining Charlton Athletic in League One.

In all fairness, you would imagine that Buckingham would be more adaptable and better equipped for the demands of life in the top-flight than Jones, who has failed to make the cut at two big jobs throughout his career. However, his stock has not recovered since and will likely never be the same again after making the jump too soon.

Buckingham, then, would do well to remind himself of that caution and refrain from making the leap of faith until the time is right.