The Oxford Mail understands that the U’s will announce their new boss in time for them to take to the dugout for the trip to Leeds United on Saturday.
Buckingham was controversially sacked yesterday afternoon, less than seven months after guiding United to the second tier of English football for the first time in 25 years.
A first half brace from Josh Murphy ensured the U’s beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in last season’s Sky Bet League One play-off final at Wembley.
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But after a promising start to life in the Championship, with three wins in their opening five games, United have slumped into a sticky run of form consisting of just one victory in their last 15 games.
The U’s were beaten 3-1 at home against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, with the defeat leaving the side 20th in the Championship table, a point above the relegation zone.
It’s understood that the decision to sack Buckingham was not a knee-jerk response to Saturday’s loss against the Owls, with it bubbling under the surface in recent days, perhaps most significantly following Wednesday night’s tame 2-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers.
Buckingham, appointed head coach last November, was more than 12 months into the three-and-a-half-year deal he signed when he arrived from Mumbai City.
It means he will be due a significant compensation package following his sacking.
With that in mind, it could be a telltale sign as to where United search for Buckingham’s replacement.
The official club statement confirming that Buckingham had ‘left his role as men’s first team head coach’ noted that ‘the appointment of a new head coach will be confirmed in due course’.
Paired with the understanding that a new boss will lead the U’s at Elland Road on Saturday, it’s likely that an out of work manager would be the most probable candidate.
Among the early bookmakers’ favourites are a number of currently unemployed managers, including the likes of Gary Rowett, Mark Robins, Ryan Lowe, Steven Schumacher and Steve Cooper.
United’s position is made less clear though by the fact they are not the only club looking to hire a new manager right now.
Fellow Championship side Millwall are in the hunt for a new head coach after Neil Harris stepped down last week, while Premier League strugglers Wolves and Southampton, both at the foot of the table, sacked Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin yesterday.