Rooney, Rohl and sackings – who’s gone, who’s next and who’s filling vacancies at Stoke City rivals
Rooney, Rohl and sackings – who’s gone, who’s next and who’s filling vacancies at Stoke City rivals
It may be the time of year for festive cheer but there are clubs up and down the Championship where there is not much mirth nor merriment.
Des Buckingham was sacked by Oxford on Sunday on the back of Mark Robins being axed by Coventry City, Tim Walters being given the heave-ho by Hull and Neil Harris leaving Millwall.
It means there are only four managers in the division who have been in post for two years – Rob Edwards (Luton Town), Carlos Corberan (West Brom), Michael Carrick (Middlesbrough) and Paul Warne (Derby) – and none has been in the job for longer than two years and three months.
Fans aren’t happy at plenty of clubs and, while Stoke City fight to haul themselves up the table and relieve pressure on Narcis Pelach, there are others who are feeling the heat.
Des Buckingham – sacked
Saturday’s defeat to Sheffield Wednesday proved the final straw for Oxford United’s hierarchy who axed Des Buckingham the following day. Oxford have won just once in 15 games with eight of those being defeats. Buckingham guided the Us out of League One last season when they won the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers but the leap from the Championship is a significant and incredibly tough leap.
There were a lot of Oxford fans unhappy with the decision, but in a statement the club said: “Des was appointed in November 2023 and led the Club to promotion to the EFL Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Des for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. The appointment of a new head coach will be confirmed in due course.”
Neil Harris – gone
A club favourite, Harris explained it was not an easy decision but it did come after he had called a section of the fans ‘thickos’ following a defeat to Coventry City.
Harris said in a letter published on the club website: “This isn’t an easy decision, as everyone knows this club is more than a job to me, it’s my club, and always will be. Being here always felt like home, as a player, as a captain, and as a manager. We are a family, and it’s been my life for so many years. But I always said when I returned that I would leave when the time felt right, and now is that time.
“Coming back last season and all the highs that came with it will never be rivalled. It was one of the highlights of my career. We fought together as a team, as fans and as a united football club. We have some special characters in this team. They are dedicated and hungry to do well. With the right encouragement and support, I’m sure they can achieve great things.
“I would like to thank all the staff at the club for their loyalty and support and especially the owner James Berylson, for welcoming me back. He’s been superb to work with, and I will always be grateful for the great friendship we shared. We have the most passionate fans in the country, and your support has meant the world to me. We are often misunderstood, but the uniqueness of Millwall is also what makes us so special.”
Wayne Rooney – under pressure
Rooney is feeling the heat at Plymouth although he has had some severe injury problems to deal with. Last week, ex-Rams analyst Pete Shuttleworth left Argyle due to personal reasons with ex-Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan taking his place.
Plymouth produced a decent display against Sheffield United at the weekend, but they still lost 2-0 and are currently second from bottom in the table. They have lost their last four games but Rooney has the backing of the board.
Club owner and chairman Simon Hallett told a recent fans’ forum: “Clearly, we are all under pressure. We are not playing well, we are not doing on the pitch what we wanted us to do. So we are all feeling the pressure. Fans are feeling the pressure, the board is feeling the pressure and Wayne is feeling the pressure. What we are going to do is not think about getting rid of him and changing him. We are thinking about how we can support him.
“So there are no conversations going on about replacing Wayne but there are conversations going on about how we can support him to help him become the great coach we think is in there.”
Tim Walter – sacked
Hull City sacked Liam Rosenior after just missing out on the play-offs last season because their football was not deemed attacking enough.
Tim Walter was appointed as his successor but Hull currently prop up the Championship. Hull lost again at the weekend and have turned to Ruben Selles from Reading to get them out of trouble.
Danny Rohl – second favourite for Southampton job
Sheffield Wednesday supporters will be mightily relieved that Kasper Hjulmand has emerged as a new favourite to replace Russell Martin at Southampton. Rohl performed a miracle to keep Wednesday in the Championship last season and has got them five points off the play-off spots approaching half-way of this term.
The Southampton Daily Echo write: “Sport Republic would also prefer a manager to come in for the long term rather than a quick-fix punt in an attempt to stay in the Premier League. They would like any new boss to have a clear and recognisable style of play and be able to work with the foundations laid by Jason Wilcox and Martin.”
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan is the bookies’ third favourite to replace Martin and is also third favourite for the Wolves vacancy, which is expected to be filled by Vitor Pereira. Corberan was linked with the Leicester job too,
Next Oxford manager – Gary Rowett odds-on favourite
Former Stoke boss Gary Rowett is runaway favourite to replace Buckingham at Oxford.
Rowett has been out of front line football for more than a year since leaving Millwall. He is followed in the odds, a long way back, by John Terry (5/1) and Mark Robins (10/1).
The Oxford Mail write: “(It is understood) that the U’s will announce their new boss in time for them to take to the dugout for the trip to Leeds United on Saturday.”
Next Millwall manager – Steven Schumacher favourite
Steven Schumacher and Mark Robins are joint 6/1 favourites to take over at Millwall, followed by David Livermore and David Wagner. Rowett is 12/1 for a return to the Den and Alex Neil is 20/1.
Livermore will take temporary charge of the first team, saying: “I feel privileged to be entrusted with taking temporary charge of the first team.
“I care deeply about this football club and with the support of Adam [Barrett], Kevin [Nugent] and Andy [Marshall], three experienced coaches, our sole aim and focus is preparing the players for this weekend League fixture against Blackburn Rovers at The Den.
“We know this squad of players very well and have great relationships with them all. We look forward to working with the team and the support staff to achieve a positive result for the football club this Saturday.”
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