Oxford United have parted company with manager Gary Rowett, the club confirmed in an official statement on Tuesday morning. The decision comes after a dismal run of form that has left the U's deep in Championship relegation trouble.
A Difficult Decision for the Board
The club released a statement confirming the departure of Rowett, along with his assistant, former Birmingham City striker Mark Sale. Rowett was appointed in December 2024 and successfully guided Oxford to safety in their first Championship season for 25 years. However, the current campaign has been a stark contrast.
Oxford United currently sit 22nd in the second-tier table, a precarious position just two points from safety. Their form has collapsed, with only a single victory secured in the last ten matches. Across the entire season, they have managed to win just four Championship games.
Chairman's Statement and Interim Arrangements
In the statement, Chairman Grant Ferguson acknowledged Rowett's previous achievements but stated the recent results forced the board's hand. "Gary joined during a challenging period and deserves immense credit for the hard work and leadership that saw us retain our Championship status last season," Ferguson said.
"However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the Club." The chairman thanked both Rowett and Sale for their contribution and wished them well for the future.
The club has confirmed that the search for a permanent successor is already underway. In the meantime, first-team preparations will be led by Craig Short, assisted by Chris Hackett and Lewis Price.
Rowett's Tenure and Birmingham City Connection
Gary Rowett's tenure at the Kassam Stadium lasted exactly one year and three days. He took over with the team in 20th place and achieved the primary objective of keeping them up last season.
The 50-year-old is notably linked with Championship rivals Birmingham City, having had two spells in charge at St Andrew's. His first spell as permanent manager ran from 2014 to 2016, with Mark Sale part of his backroom team during that period. Rowett also returned for a brief interim stint in 2024 following the ill-fated appointment of Wayne Rooney, which ended in the club's relegation to League One.
The focus for Oxford United now shifts urgently to finding a new manager who can reverse their fortunes and pull the club away from the Championship drop zone.
