Ex-Rangers boss Michael Beale now in contention for Championship job after latest announcement
Michael Beale is reportedly in the frame to become Oxford United’s new manager after Gary Rowett was relieved of his duties with the club struggling in the Championship.
Oxford are 22nd in the second tier as it stands following a dismal run of just one win in their last 10 league outings.
They were beaten 1-0 by fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic on Saturday to extend their winless run to four games, and the club’s hierarchy has now moved to make a key decision in a bid to survive this season.
Gary Rowett has been sacked as Oxford boss after just over a year in charge, with the club now on the hunt for a new manager ahead of their Boxing Day clash against promotion-chasing Southampton.
Former Rangers boss Beale has been out of management since being sacked by Sunderland in February 2024, but could soon return to the Championship in charge of the U’s.
Beale is wanted by Oxford chiefs after Rowett sacking
Football Insider revealed in May that Beale had been interviewed by Hull City as they sought a replacement for Ruben Selles, but he missed out on that job as Sergej Jakirovic was hired instead.
He has worked in football since leaving Sunderland, with a short stint as Steven Gerrard‘s assistant at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq between November 2024 and January 2025.
The 45-year-old could now be set to return to the dugout in the second tier, with reporter Alan Nixon revealing via Patreon that Beale is in the frame to become the next Oxford manager.
His appointment is believed to have support from within the Kassam Stadium, as Oxford want a coach who can get more from their players and believe he could be the right fit.
Who else is in the running to take over at Oxford?
Oxford’s survival prospects are dimming by the week right now, and it feels like the right time for them to change manager to try to stay up, much like they did in December last year.
While Beale looks to be a frontrunner to take charge of the U’s, the early bookmakers’ odds have former boss Liam Manning as the favourite to be appointed at 2/1, with Steve Bruce next up at 5/1, and Alex Revell close behind at 6/1.
Ex-Oxford manager Manning was most recently in charge of Norwich City, but his stint at Carrow Road lasted just five months, as he was sacked last month with the club sitting 23rd in the Championship.
He was U’s boss between March and November 2023, during which he won 14 of his 29 games at the helm and led the club to second place in League One before being poached by Bristol City.