adminWayne Rooney among names to become new Oxford United manager
Wayne Rooney is among the names being put forward by bookies to become the new manager of Oxford United.
After parting ways with Gary Rowett two days before Christmas, the Yellows have one win in their three games under caretaker boss Craig Short.
Getting off to a good start by beating Southampton on Boxing Day, Oxford then lost at home to Swansea before being beaten on the road by promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.
As the search for a new permanent manager goes on, multiple names have been thrown into the hat, with now former England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney in contention according to bookies.
BetVictor names 33/1 odds for the former striker to be in the Kassam Stadium dugout as the next stop in his managerial career.
Rooney started out at Derby County after hanging up his boots before moving over to the United States with D.C. United.
The 40-year-old then moved back onto home soil with Birmingham City before a short and unsuccessful spell with Plymouth Argyle.
His former England teammate, John Terry, recently ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Oxford manager job, despite previously being touted as a favourite.
“I just want to talk about me being linked with the Oxford job,” said the former Chelsea defender.
“I’m not sure where these rumours come from, I’m certainly not on the lookout for a job.
“I’ve spoke about how much I love my role at Chelsea in the academy, working with the players in the progression from youth team to reserves to the first team, and the involvement I have in that.
“Certainly not approached Oxford, I’ve not spoken to anybody at all. So just want to completely rule myself out of it.
“I wish Oxford and whoever goes in as manager all the very best, but it certainly won’t be me.”
Former Southampton boss William Still is the current favourite among the bookies for the Oxford job ahead of Matt Bloomfield and Alan Sheehan.
Former Norwich City and U’s boss Liam Manning is named among the contenders by Oddschecker. However his representatives ruled out a surprise return to the Kassam Stadium, this newspaper exclusively revealed in December.
Manning was in charge at the Kassam back in 2023, guiding United to second place in League One in November before departing for Championship side Bristol City to replace Nigel Pearson.
Oxford currently sit in the relegation zone, two points off 22nd-placed Norwich City, ahead of an FA Cup trip to MK Dons on Friday (January 9).
Their league fixture against Sheffield United was postponed on Sunday afternoon due to a frozen pitch in South Yorkshire with a rescheduled date yet to be announced.
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