ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER SACKING!

Head coach Rowett sacked by Oxford United
BBC Sport England

Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett has been sacked with the club in the Championship relegation zone.
The U's have won just one of their past 10 games and are two points from safety, after slipping into the bottom three 10 days ago.

Rowett, 51, had been in charge for a year, almost to the day - having succeeded Des Buckingham on 20 December 2024 - winning 14 and losing 21 of his 50 games.

He led Oxford to survival and a second season in the Championship in May, having taken over the 2024 League One play-off winners when they were a point above the relegation zone.
Rowett's assistant Mark Sale has also left the club, with Craig Short taking interim charge of the first team alongside Chris Hackett and Lewis Price.

"Gary joined during a challenging period and deserves immense credit for the hard work and leadership that saw us retain our Championship status last season," Oxford United chairman Grant Ferguson told the club website., external

"However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the club.

"On behalf of the board, I would like to place on record our thanks to Gary and Mark for their contribution to the football club and to wish them all the best for the future."

Oxford's only win since the end of October came at home to Ipswich on 28 November
Having won just four Championship games in the first half of last season, Oxford were staring at an immediate return to League One.

But they appointed the experienced Rowett - who had managed Millwall, Birmingham City, Derby County and Stoke City in the second tier - with the aim of securing Championship survival.

He turned Oxford's fortunes around quickly, winning three successive matches over the Christmas period to open up a nine-point gap to the relegation zone as part of a nine-game unbeaten run in the league that ultimately secured United's survival.

Despite going on a run of five games without a win, Rowett's side rallied with four wins and two draws in the final nine games of the season to end the campaign in 17th place, four points above the drop zone.

Questions were also raised about his relationship with the board over transfers, with Rowett making comments about an uncertainty over his budget.

The club say a search for a new head coach has begun and Craig Short will lead first team preparations ahead of their next game at home to Southampton on Boxing Day.

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A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

Me too, Ned; but it does appear there were maybe differences between him and the Board

I’m sure our resident U’s supporter will have some thoughts/knowledge

Its a mad division though, it's unfair.

If you want to run your club properly, you have no chance. There are some huge clubs and well-resourced playing loose and fast with the balance sheet. I keep on thinking the house of cards will all collapse at some point, but the show continues on.

Lower-resourced clubs like Oxford need to be greater than the sums and Rowett's functionality is normally that catalyst.

A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

Me too, Ned; but it does appear there were maybe differences between him and the Board

I’m sure our resident U’s supporter will have some thoughts/knowledge

He got interviewed at the weekend after a poor loss to Charlton and basically said back me or sack me. They chose the latter.

He’s been very erratic with selection and his interviews have been very downbeat. Fans have been turning for a while and there was open discord at the weekend. The style of football is awful and when winning it’s alright but when losing a lot less so.

A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

Me too, Ned; but it does appear there were maybe differences between him and the Board

I’m sure our resident U’s supporter will have some thoughts/knowledge

He got interviewed at the weekend after a poor loss to Charlton and basically said back me or sack me. They chose the latter.

He’s been very erratic with selection and his interviews have been very downbeat. Fans have been turning for a while and there was open discord at the weekend. The style of football is awful and when winning it’s alright but when losing a lot less so.

It’s a shame that Buckingham left as they were playing some good stuff under him from what I could see.

Where did he go?

A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

Me too, Ned; but it does appear there were maybe differences between him and the Board

I’m sure our resident U’s supporter will have some thoughts/knowledge

He got interviewed at the weekend after a poor loss to Charlton and basically said back me or sack me. They chose the latter.

He’s been very erratic with selection and his interviews have been very downbeat. Fans have been turning for a while and there was open discord at the weekend. The style of football is awful and when winning it’s alright but when losing a lot less so.

It’s a shame that Buckingham left as they were playing some good stuff under him from what I could see.

Where did he go?

Saudi now.

Under Des they had one point in eight games I think it was when he got the sack. Started the season with three wins in first five games and they fifteen games later had eighteen points.

Ironically Des would do better with the current squad I think. A few more attacking players now.

Time of the year for some clubs to look at the half way stage and make the call ...

A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

Me too, Ned; but it does appear there were maybe differences between him and the Board

I’m sure our resident U’s supporter will have some thoughts/knowledge

He got interviewed at the weekend after a poor loss to Charlton and basically said back me or sack me. They chose the latter.

He’s been very erratic with selection and his interviews have been very downbeat. Fans have been turning for a while and there was open discord at the weekend. The style of football is awful and when winning it’s alright but when losing a lot less so.

Thanks, Neil

Once the relationship has broken down irretrievably, there’s only one outcome; and I’ve yet to see an owner/Board accept their part in such circumstances

Merry Christmas to you and you loved ones!

A bit surprised at this. Obviously not going well this season but he did a great job when he came in last season.

Not sure they can get someone better for a relegation battle, could be wrong.

Seen a few Oxford fans on social media say they're frustrated he wasn't able to bring in the players he wanted in the summer after doing such a good job.

Me too, Ned; but it does appear there were maybe differences between him and the Board

I’m sure our resident U’s supporter will have some thoughts/knowledge

He got interviewed at the weekend after a poor loss to Charlton and basically said back me or sack me. They chose the latter.

He’s been very erratic with selection and his interviews have been very downbeat. Fans have been turning for a while and there was open discord at the weekend. The style of football is awful and when winning it’s alright but when losing a lot less so.

Thanks, Neil

Once the relationship has broken down irretrievably, there’s only one outcome; and I’ve yet to see an owner/Board accept their part in such circumstances

Merry Christmas to you and you loved ones!

Same to you pal.

The chairman and ceo etc are very much in survival mode.

Gary has made a very classy statement this morning.

Rowett was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning after an extended run of poor form which saw United manage just one win in ten games in the Championship.

Defeat against Charlton Athletic at The Valley was the final straw which saw the Oxford decision makers make the change.

On Wednesday morning, the 51-year-old posted a statement thanking U's fans for their backing over the past year, dubbing survival in the second tier last season as one of the 'biggest achievements' of his career.

Rowett wrote: "Just a thank you to everyone who made the last year a fun one - the fans for some incredible atmospheres with Sunderland at home last season as the highlight, the players for some big performances against the top teams always pushing to improve and making the training ground a fun place, the staff for all their hard work and dedication all making the experience as Oxford United Football Club head coach an enjoyable one.

"The aim was to keep the club in the Championship and last season was one of my biggest achievements in my career so far.

"This season was frustrating for all but I’m hoping the team can respond again with a new voice at the helm, good luck and will be supporting Oxford United Football Club."

Rowett was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning after an extended run of poor form which saw United manage just one win in ten games in the Championship.

Defeat against Charlton Athletic at The Valley was the final straw which saw the Oxford decision makers make the change.

On Wednesday morning, the 51-year-old posted a statement thanking U's fans for their backing over the past year, dubbing survival in the second tier last season as one of the 'biggest achievements' of his career.

Rowett wrote: "Just a thank you to everyone who made the last year a fun one - the fans for some incredible atmospheres with Sunderland at home last season as the highlight, the players for some big performances against the top teams always pushing to improve and making the training ground a fun place, the staff for all their hard work and dedication all making the experience as Oxford United Football Club head coach an enjoyable one.

"The aim was to keep the club in the Championship and last season was one of my biggest achievements in my career so far.

"This season was frustrating for all but I’m hoping the team can respond again with a new voice at the helm, good luck and will be supporting Oxford United Football Club."

Class from Gary Rowett, Tony! Class!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Rowett was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning after an extended run of poor form which saw United manage just one win in ten games in the Championship.

Defeat against Charlton Athletic at The Valley was the final straw which saw the Oxford decision makers make the change.

On Wednesday morning, the 51-year-old posted a statement thanking U's fans for their backing over the past year, dubbing survival in the second tier last season as one of the 'biggest achievements' of his career.

Rowett wrote: "Just a thank you to everyone who made the last year a fun one - the fans for some incredible atmospheres with Sunderland at home last season as the highlight, the players for some big performances against the top teams always pushing to improve and making the training ground a fun place, the staff for all their hard work and dedication all making the experience as Oxford United Football Club head coach an enjoyable one.

"The aim was to keep the club in the Championship and last season was one of my biggest achievements in my career so far.

"This season was frustrating for all but I’m hoping the team can respond again with a new voice at the helm, good luck and will be supporting Oxford United Football Club."

Class from Gary Rowett, Tony! Class!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

He is that