Steve Bruce ‘in contention to land Oxford United job’ after John Terry snub
Oxford United are considering Steve Bruce among a number of managerial targets as they seek to replace Gary Rowett following his dismissal.
That is according to former Oxford United manager Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his previous club, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Bruce is seen as one of the leading options after his exit from Blackpool in October.
The former Newcastle United boss has bags of experience managing in the Championship, an asset which is seen as vital in The U’s’ battle against relegation.
Oxford United sit 21st in the table after 23 games played, with just five league wins all season and only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone.
Bruce departed Blackpool in October but is keen to make a quick return to management at the Kassam Stadium, although a front-runner has not yet become clear.
Steve Bruce emerges as a contender for Oxford United
Brown told Football Insider on 29 December that Oxford United have considered John Terry among their targets, but he is unlikely to take the job as things stand.
Instead, the former scout who has a wealth of experience working closely alongside elite-level managers including Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United, insisted that Bruce would represent a more experience option, but remains among a number of candidates.
“The other name I’ve heard at Oxford is Steve Bruce,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s still got a good reputation and he’s got a lot of experience in the Championship, keeping clubs up and getting other promoted, it’s been a long career.
“He’s gone from one club to another in the Championship and the lower leagues.
“That could be valuable for Oxford because he has got that experience at this level.
“The issue there is, there comes a time when he stops being capable of doing the things he’s built his reputation on, and you saw that when he left Blackpool.
“That was his last club, and I have heard he’d be keen to return to management, whether it’s with Oxford or another club that comes in for him.
“I can see why he is one who has been under consideration, but he’s not the only one, and I think there are options ahead of him in the pecking order.”
Who else is in the running for the Oxford United job?
Alongside both Bruce and Terry, both of whom remain under consideration, the club have already compiled a shortlist of options to replace Rowett.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 23 December that Liam Manning is in the running for a return to Oxford United, having left the club in 2023.
The 40-year-old has since had spells with Bristol City and more recently at Norwich City, but is now available to step straight into the role.
Meanwhile, former QPR and Rangers boss Michael Beale is believed to be a contender, as he eyes a return to the Championship after leaving Sunderland in 2024.
Manning appears to be a favourite for the Oxford job, with Beale a slightly less likely name, but it remains to be seen how the former manager feels about a return to the Kassam.
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