adminOxford United next manager odds as Gary Rowett departs
Gary Rowett has left his post as head coach of Oxford United as odds for the U’s next manager begin to appear.
The 51-year-old was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning after a 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic three days prior meant United had only managed one win in their last 10 Championship games.
Oxford sit 22nd in the second tier, two points from safety.
The U’s search for a new head coach now begins, with the January transfer window and a Boxing Day clash against Southampton just around the corner.
Odds for who the next boss could be are starting to appear after Rowett’s departure, with BetVictor tipping Michael Beale as the favourite at 1/2 odds.
Beale was last in work as assistant to Steven Gerrard at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq, but his most recent role in charge was with Sunderland almost two years ago where he lasted just 63 days, the shortest in the club’s history.
He was manager of Rangers for almost a year before that, after leaving an in-form Queens Park Rangers for Glasgow.
Liam Manning is the current second favourite with odds of 6/1 for him to return to the U’s.
The 40-year-old was in charge of the Yellows previously in 2023, leaving the club for Bristol City in November whilst the club was second in League One.
He did not depart on the best of terms with United fans as they were on for a promotion charge, with successor Des Buckingham then guiding them to the Championship.
Manning took the Robins to a sixth-placed finish last season but suffered defeat in both play-off semi-final legs against Sheffield United.
READ MORE: Fans react as Gary Rowett leaves as Oxford United manager
The former U’s boss left Bristol in the summer for Norwich City before being sacked last month after a disastrous start to the season in which the Canaries lost every league home fixture under Manning.
Other names on the list include Lee Grant (8/1), Matt Bloomfield (10/1), Michael Carrick (12/1), and Russell Martin (12/1).
A name tipped by some pundits, fans, and Bet365 is Tony Mowbray.
Mowbray is one of the few candidates who has a plethora of Championship experience, as well as a previous record of fighting relegation.
The 62-year-old has managed sides such as Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, and Sunderland in the second tier, and was most recently in charge of West Bromwich Albion in early 2025.
Oxford’s search for a manager is now underway with a Boxing Day clash with Southampton just three days away
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