Oxford United next manager: Stunning return on the cards as favourite installed
Liam Manning is the favourite to become the next Oxford United manager after Gary Rowett was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning.
Rowett replaced Des Buckingham as Oxford boss last December as they battled against relegation in their first season back in the second-tier since 1998-99.
He was able to transform their fortunes as they went unbeaten in his first six games in charge, while Rowett picked up the Championship Manager of the Month award for January.
The 51-year-old led the U’s to a respectable 17th-placed finish in May, but they have struggled so far this season and currently occupy 22nd spot.
Their 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic on Saturday saw them lose more ground on the teams above them in the race to stay up, and Rowett has now lost his job, with a former Kassam Stadium favourite potentially set to succeed him.
Manning is the early bookies’ favourite with Oxford return on the cards
Rowett was the third-favourite to be sacked next among Championship managers before his dismissal, and it feels likely that the U’s will have a replacement lined up to come in pretty soon, given how close the January window is to opening.
Former 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.
Manning is the early favourite among the bookmakers to return to the Kassam Stadium, at 2/1, while Steve Bruce is next up at 5/1, and Alex Revell is close behind at 6/1.
Who could lose their job next in the Championship?
Rowett is the first manager in the second-tier to be sacked since Swansea City relieved Alan Sheehan of his duties on 11 November.
Football Insider recently revealed that Birmingham are drawing up a shortlist of manager replacements for Chris Davies as doubts linger around his position in charge.
As a result of the uncertainty around his position, the latest odds have Davies as the favourite to be sacked next in the Championship at 6/4.
He is now ahead of Ryan Mason, who is under pressure at West Brom after their poor form, with him coming in at 3/1, while Sheffield Wednesday’s Henrik Pedersen is next up at 6/1.