3 managers Oxford United should consider ASAP amid Gary Rowett departure | OneFootball

The U's are now searching for a third permanent boss since their promotion to the Championship

The latest managerial departure in the Championship has been confirmed just two days prior to Christmas, with Gary Rowett leaving his post as head coach of Oxford United.

Rowett was appointed just 12 months ago following the U's decision to somewhat controversially part ways with Des Buckingham, who had overseen a first promotion to the second tier since 1999 through the League One play-offs in May 2024.

Given the club's resources - particularly from a financial standpoint - in comparison to the vast majority of their Championship rivals, Oxford have been tipped to struggle by several outsiders and pundits in the two seasons which they have called the division home.

However, to his credit, Rowett - who could call upon a number of years' worth of experience in the division - was able to prove any sceptics wrong during his first half-season at the Kassam Stadium, as the Yellows were able to end the campaign in a respectable position of 17th, some four points ahead of Luton Town, who were relegated on goal difference.

The first 22 games of the current campaign have been far from smooth sailing for Oxford, though, with Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic leaving the club 22nd in the table, having taken 19 points thus far, two less than Portsmouth, who are just outside the relegation zone.

As such, owner Grant Ferguson is already on the lookout for the club's latest head coach after Rowett departed with a 30 percent win ratio from 54 games in charge, and Football League World have looked at THREE potential replacements.

Liam Manning

The first of those could come in the form of Liam Manning, who is currently out of work following his dismissal at Norwich City last month.

Of course, the Canaries are currently one of two sides below Oxford in the table. However, it is glaringly obvious that expectation levels and resources are completely different at Carrow Road.

Despite a disastrous period at his hometown club, Manning was able to transform the fortunes of Bristol City between November 2023 and May 2025 after being poached from Oxford in the early stages of their eventual play-off winning campaign 19 months ago.

The 40-year-old guided the Robins to a first play-off finish at Championship level since 2008 last term against clubs with arguably greater financial muscle, meaning he has shown the ability to defy expectations, which will certainly be required if the U's are to remain a second tier side for a third season running.

It could also be one of the most attractive offers which could come Manning's way in the short-term, as well as the feeling of potentially unfinished business from his perspective.

Matt Bloomfield

2025 has also been somewhat of a bizarre year for Matt Bloomfield, whose stock appears to remain relatively high despite his departure from Luton Town in October.

The 41-year-old had previously worked his way up the managerial ladder with Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers in League Two and League One respectively, with the Chairboys immersed in a well-documented promotion race alongside big-spending Birmingham City and Wrexham this time last year.

Despite an initial run of mixed results, Bloomfield came mightily close to preventing back-to-back relegations at Kenilworth Road in May after a resurgence in the final weeks of the campaign, with sections of supporters firmly believing that he remains a strong tactician, and that his appointment came at the completely wrong time given the future plans which the Hatters have in place.

Of course, Oxford are also planning to boost their stature with a new stadium in the years to come. However, as previously mentioned, expectation levels at the two clubs are hard to compare, meaning a move for Bloomfield, who would not have to be bought out of a current contract, is certainly a viable option.

Michael Skubala

However, if Oxford were to go down that particular route, one man they could look to buy out of a current deal is Lincoln City head coach, Michael Skubala.

The Imps boss was handed his first full-time managerial role at the LNER Stadium in November 2023, and has since overseen a strong period of progress.

During his first full season in charge last term, Lincoln finished in a respectable 11th position on 61 points, and they have since gone from strength to strength in the current campaign.

The goals have been very much shared around the Nottingham native's side across their opening 21 games. However, their success, which currently sees them reside inside the automatic promotion places after a statement 2-1 success over league leaders Cardiff City last weekend, has certainly been built on a defensive robustness.

Indeed, Lincoln have the joint-fifth best defensive record in the third tier at present, having shipped 22 goals in said timeframe, and have showcased why they are potential promotion material.

Having conceded 31 times already, it is clear that defensive metrics must be improved at the Kassam, and they could serve the Imps a huge blow if they were able to buy Skubala out of his contract, which is set to end in the summer of 2028 at present.