Next Oxford United manager odds: Buckingham emerges as frontrunner

Mumbai City boss Des Buckingham is the favourite to become Oxford United’s new manager with the U’s having narrowed down their search for Liam Manning’s replacement. 

United are looking to appoint their second head coach in eight months after Manning left the Kassam Stadium last week to take charge of Bristol City.

Manning did a fine job at Oxford, saving them from relegation after replacing Karl Robinson late last season before guiding them to second in the League One standings this term. 

Whoever takes over in the Oxford dugout will inherit a side in an excellent position as the club seeks to return to the second tier of the Football League for the first time since 1999.

Football betting sites have priced up the managerial search as a two-horse race with Oxford-born Des Buckingham the top contender, closely followed by Crystal Palace coach Paddy McCarthy.

Both are scheduled to be interviewed by the club this week with a view to naming the new manager before Oxford’s next game at Cheltenham on November 25.

Previous favourite Luke Williams has seen his price go out to 14/1 after the Notts County boss distanced himself from talk of a move to the Kassam Stadium

Next Oxford United manager odds

• Des Buckingham – 1/1
• Paddy McCarthy - 6/4
• Andrew Crofts – 8/1
• John Eustace – 12/1
• Dean Holden – 12/1
• Luke Williams – 14/1
• Chris Wilder – 16/1
• 25/1 bar

Buckingham heading home?

Homegrown ace Buckingham was linked with the job when Manning got the role earlier in the year but may finally get a return. 

The 38-year-old was born in Oxford and was part of the U’s youth team as a goalkeeper, although he never made a senior appearance. 

He transitioned into coaching at an early age and has the best part of 20 years of experience behind him, cutting his teeth at Oxford as a youth team coach and eventually joining Chris Wilder’s staff at the Kassam. 

He has since spent the majority of his time on the other side of the globe, managing A-League side Wellington Phoenix and working with the New Zealand national team before being picked up by the City Football Group in 2020. 

Buckingham has since gone on to manage Mumbai City in the Indian Super League, guiding them to the title last season. 

Buckingham again fits the mould of the type of progressive coach Oxford are after and he may be keen to return to his hometown team. However, it would be an expensive appointment with his City Football Group contract reportedly containing a sizeable buyout clause.

McCarthy and Crofts in the mix

New betting sites have put Buckingham well ahead of the rest in the betting with the duo set for a second round of talks this weekend. 

But if Oxford can't get Buckingham then they could end up with Palace assistant McCarthy. He has reportedly been interviewed for the job but may take some persuading to leave Se;hurst Park having been groomed as Roy Hodgson's eventual successor.

Next on the list of contenders is Andrew Crofts, who has seen his odds shorten dramatically recently. 

Crofts is currently part of Brighton’s coaching staff and has never held a position away from the Seagulls, but is highly thought of at the Amex Stadium. 

John Eustace is a 12/1 chance and would be an interesting candidate having done so well with Birmingham City in the Championship before his surprise departure. 

Eustace kept Blues up last season on a shoestring budget and had them in the play-offs this term before being let go. 

The only other contender at shorter than 25/1 is Dean Holden at 12/1. Holden is out of work after being sacked by Charlton just six games into the season.

Williams happy at Notts

It had been widely reported that Oxford were in advanced talks with Williams, who has rebuilt his managerial reputation with Notts County. 

Williams was sacked from his first managerial position as boss of Oxford’s great rivals Swindon. The 43-year-old had 18 months in charge at the County Ground and was relieved of his duties in 2017 after the Robins were relegated to League Two.

After various assistant and Under 23 coaching roles, Williams took charge of County in the summer of 2022 and in his first season at the club, guided them out of the National League via the play-offs. 

They’ve made a good start to life back in the Football League with the Magpies currently sat in fifth in League Two and betting sites put them amongst the favourites for promotion this season. 

Williams has a win ratio of over 60 per cent during his time in charge of Notts and he seemed an obvious candidate to pick up from where Manning left off given his possession-based style of play. 

County have the highest average possession rate in League Two this season (63.1%), while Oxford are eighth (53.1%) in that same category in the third tier.

Williams also has knowledge of one of Oxford’s star men, Ruben Rodrigues, who has publicly backed Williams having enjoyed working with him at County last season. 

But Williams has denied having spoken to Oxford and says he's happy in his current role.