Michael Beale is apparently in the running to become Oxford United’s new manager after Gary Rowett was relieved of his duties as the club struggles in the Championship.
Oxford are now 22nd in the second tier, having won only one of their last ten league games.
They were defeated 1-0 by fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic on Saturday, extending their winless streak to four games, and the club’s administration is now preparing to make a critical decision in order to survive this season.
Gary Rowett has been sacked as Oxford manager after just over a year in charge, and the club is now looking for a new manager ahead of its Boxing Day encounter with promotion-chasing Southampton.
Former Rangers manager Beale has been out of management since being fired by Sunderland in February 2024, but he could soon return to the Championship in control of the U’s.
Beale is wanted by Oxford chiefs after Rowett’s dismissal
In May, Football Insider revealed that Beale was interviewed by Hull City as a replacement for Ruben Selles, however he was passed over in favour of Sergej Jakirovic.
He has worked in football since leaving Sunderland, including a brief time as Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq from November 2024 until January 2025.
The 45-year-old might be returning to the dugout in the second tier, with reporter Alan Nixon confirming via Patreon that Beale is in the running to become Oxford’s next manager.
His appointment is reported to have internal backing at the Kassam Stadium, as Oxford is looking for a coach who can get more out of its players and believes he is the appropriate match.
Who else is vying for the top job at Oxford?
Oxford’s survival prospects are dwindling by the week, and it appears that it is time for them to change managers in order to stay on top, like they did in December of last year.
While Beale appears to be the leader to take over the U’s, the early bookies’ odds had former manager Liam Manning as the favourite at 2/1, with Steve Bruce next at 5/1 and Alex Revell close behind at 6/1.
Manning, an ex-Oxford manager, was sacked last month after only five months in charge of Norwich City, who were 23rd in the Championship. He led the U’s to second place in League One and won 14 of 29 games between March and November 2023, before being hired by Bristol City.
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