Leeds United’s next opponents Oxford United took the shock decision at the weekend to sack manager Des Buckingham, a decision which hasn’t gone down well with the fanbase at all.
The Championship has seen plenty of change already, largely concentrated to the bottom end of the division as clubs look to stave off a drop to the third tier.
Leeds have faced four clubs this season that have since parted company with their managers, and they are about to face a fifth that have ditched their boss.
Oxford United sack Des Buckingham ahead of Leeds United trip
After scraping a draw at Preston on Saturday, Leeds’ attention turns swiftly to a return to Elland Road, facing strugglers Oxford United.
For the U’s, their week of preparation for West Yorkshire has been made a whole lot more interesting by the fact that they took the decision to sack Des Buckingham at the weekend:
The tipping point for the Oxford United board was a home loss to Sheffield Wednesday, taking the lead but ending up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline.
Which position do Leeds need to strengthen most in January?
Striker
Attacking midfielder (no10)
Centre-back
Other?
New manager bounce appears unlikely amid Oxford fan woes
The worry for Leeds fans with this news is the cliched ‘new manager bounce’ that follows with a change in the dugout.
However, for the U’s, this doesn’t look to be a managerial change that will inspire renewed confidence from their fanbase ahead of one of the toughest trips of the season.
Reaction to Buckingham’s departure, six months on from their dream playoff final win at Wembley, was quite telling of this being an incredibly unpopular decision – including NTT20’s George Elek:
The U’s are 20th in the Championship following their promotion, with four wins in 20 games and a point separating them and the bottom three.
Their away form is another indication, alongside Buckingham’s departure, that optimism for Elland Road will be at a serious premium, yet to win on the road and with just two points from a possible 27.
Pablo Hernandez quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 100%?