UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Oxford United football club has removed head coach Gary Rowett after a poor run of results left the club in the Championship relegation places.
As reported by The Guardian, Oxford United have sacked Gary Rowett as head coach, with the club 22nd in the Championship, just two points above the drop zone.
Previously, he managed Birmingham, Derby, Stoke, and Millwall, taking charge in December 2024 and guiding the club to survival in the second tier last season.
How did Oxford United’s poor run lead to Gary Rowett’s sacking?
After taking over the 2024 League One play-off winners when they were just a point clear of relegation, Gary Rowett secured Oxford United’s survival and another season in the Championship by May.
Mark Sale, who served as Rowett’s assistant, has left the club, while Craig Short assumes interim charge of the first team alongside Chris Hackett and Lewis Price.
Oxford United chairman Grant Ferguson told the club website,
“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.”
He said,
“However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the club.”
Mr Ferguson added,
“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.”
After winning just four Championship games in the first half of last season, Oxford faced the prospect of an immediate drop to League One. Under Mr Rowett, the club’s form improved rapidly, leading the team to three straight wins over the Christmas period and extending a nine-point gap from the relegation zone that secured their Championship status.
Mr Rowett’s team overcame a run of five winless games by earning four wins and two draws in the final nine matches, finishing the season 17th, four points above the drop zone.
Oxford have faced challenges this season, scoring just 22 goals, the fourth-lowest in the division, with 20-year-old Tottenham striker Will Lanskhear their top scorer with five.
The U’s lost their opening three league games this season and suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat at home to Premier League side Brighton in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August.
The team earned their first league win on 21 September with a 3-1 victory at Bristol City, but under Mr Rowett, they managed only three more wins, the last a 2-1 triumph over Ipswich Town on 28 November.
Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation is effectively confirmed, sitting 30 points from safety after financial penalties, with Oxford’s management acting to avoid joining them in League One in May.
Which clubs are fighting to avoid League One this season?
- Blackburn: 21 games, goal difference -4, 25 points (20th)
- Portsmouth: 21 games, goal difference -10, 21 points (21st)
- Oxford United: 22 games, goal difference -9, 19 points (22nd)
- Norwich: 22 games, goal difference -10, 18 points (23rd)
- Sheffield Wednesday: 21 games, goal difference -27, -9 points (24th)
