Oxford United have announced the surprising news that Des Buckingham has left the club following defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Oxford United had a decent start to life in the Championship after rising from League One last season.
However, after a run which saw them win one game in 15, they have slipped down to 20th in the Championship table and just one point above the drop zone. The Yellows were expected to struggle this season – it is their first season at this level in 24 years after all.
Despite that, it comes as quite a shock that the U’s have parted ways with Des Buckingham, the man who got them to the Championship in the first place.
With that said, here are three bosses Oxford United must consider bringing in…
Tony Mowbray
Mowbray has been out of work since the end of last season. He left Birmingham City due to health issues but is now looking to get back into work.
The Championship veteran did a decent job of steadying the ship at St. Andrew’s in his very short stint. However, he found more joy in his stint at Sunderland prior.
He led the Black Cats to a play-off place but was controversially sacked in December 2023. He would be a perfect fit for Oxford United and give them a good chance of staying in the division.
Alex Neil
Now, the man who Mowbray succeeded at Sunderland, Alex Neil. The Scot has been out of work for just over a year now after his dismissal from Stoke City.
He had left Sunderland the Potters just three months after leading them to play-off success but failed to make the desired impact. However, he does have a good record at Championship level from his time with Preston North End and Norwich City.
Neil would be a great option in the long-term, should they feel relegation is a possibility. He also has promotions on his CV with Sunderland, Norwich and Hamilton Academical.
Dave Challinor
The only coach on this list who is currently in a job is Stockport County boss Dave Challinor. Challinor has led the Hatters from the National League to League One play-off challengers across four seasons.
He left then-League Two side Hartlepool United, who he had taken up from the National League, to drop back down a level with Stockport, but it was clearly a good decision from him.
He has shown his quality as a head coach with County but a move to Oxford United could prove tempting despite his current club’s upward trajectory.