Saudi and League Two – Oxford United’s last five managers

Bloomfield was the third boss to take charge of the U’s in the Championship after Des Buckingham guided them to promotion and Gary Rowett ensured first-season survival.

Head coaches have chopped and changed more recently over the past few years, reflected the current state of the modern game, so here is a look at what Oxford’s past five gaffers are doing now.

Gary Rowett (2024-2025)

After guiding United to second-tier survival in 2024/25, Rowett was sacked as manager last December.

The 52-year-old was given the task of keeping Championship rivals Leicester City in the division in February with a contract until the end of the season.

(Image: Mark Sale)

He has since had some work as a pundit, including on last season’s play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough.

Des Buckingham (2023-24)

Oxford-born Buckingham led the U’s to League One promotion via the play-offs in 2023/24 but was surprisingly sacked in December of the following season.

After eight months out of the game, the 41-year-old was appointed head coach of Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood.

He recently guided the club to the Kings Cup final for the first time ever, narrowly defeated at the hands of an Al Hilal side featuring former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

Former Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham (Image: Mike Allen)

Liam Manning (2023)

Manning took over in March 2023, the club ending the season 19th in League One.

A spectacular start to the following campaign saw United high up in second before Bristol City poached the impressive young coach in November.

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(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

The 40-year-old was most recently in charge of League One Huddersfield Town but left in May following a period of compassionate leave and is currently without employment.

Karl Robinson (2018-2023)

The longest serving of the quintet, Robinson was well-liked at Oxford.

He led the club to two play-off campaigns but suffered to defeat in the 2020 final to Matt Bloomfield-captained Wycombe Wanderers and lost in the semi-finals to Blackpool the following season.

Salford City manager Karl Robinson (left) gestures after the Sky Bet League Two play off semi-final (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)

The 45-year-old was sacked in early 2023 following a run of eight games without a win.

He was recently harshly let go by League Two side Salford City after a 3-0 defeat in the play-off final to Notts County and is out of work.

Pep Clotet (2017-2018)

The most recent foreign boss at the Kassam, Spaniard Clotet lasted just six months in OX4.

Former Oxford United head coach Pep Clotet (Image: David Fleming)

Relieved of his duties in January 2018, the Barcelona-born man could only manage a record of 12 wins from his 26 matches in charge.

Clotet is currently away from management, his last role being with Italian outfit Triestina where he astoundingly physically ‘attacked’ one of his own players after they were sent off in November 2024.

The 49-year-old was sacked later that month.