- The Championship side have decided to part ways with their manager on Sunday
- A replacement boss is now being sounded as the club flirts with relegation
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A Championship manager has been sacked by his club amid a dismal run of results that has left the side teetering in relegation danger.
England’s second division billed as the toughest league in the world, largely because of the riches at stake that come with reaching the Premier League, is heating up during the festive run.
It is often during this hectic time of the year that clubs flirting with relegation decide to pull the plug on managers and one team has made the decision following another weekend hammering.
Wayne Rooney is believed to be under increasing pressure as Plymouth head coach amid a run of poor performances but remains in employment at the coastal club despite losing 2-0 against Sheffield United on Saturday.
However, Oxford United have acted to part company with their boss in a pre-emptive move with the club just one point above the bottom three.
Des Buckingham was sacked by the south-west club on Sunday with a statement published by the Us confirming their decision to part ways with the 39-year-old.
Oxford United have acted to part company with Des Buckingham in a pre-emptive move with the club just one point above the bottom three
Oxford were beaten 3-1 by Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday to leave the club in relegation danger
Announcing the news, the Kassam Stadium side said: ‘Oxford United can confirm that Des Buckingham has left his role as Men’s First Team Head Coach.
‘Des was appointed in November 2023 and led the Club to promotion to the EFL Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.
‘The Club would like to place on record its thanks to Des for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
‘The appointment of a new head coach will be confirmed in due course.’
Buckingham had previously guided Oxford to Championship promotion last season
Buckingham leaves his first senior coaching role in English football after enduring previous stints managing in New Zealand, Australia and India.
Speaking following Saturday’s defeat, he told BBC Radio Oxford: ‘I am who I am and we will always be as honest as we can with the media, fans or the players and they know that. We’ve shown the success of that together.
‘We will find ways to make sure we continue to challenge ourselves at this level and also make sure we put things in place to get back to getting the results we all want.
‘Our aim this year was to stay in this league, that is the reality of it.’
