FORMER Chelsea and England defender John Terry has made a surprise entrance into the top five candidates among bookmakers to replace Des Buckingham at Oxford United.
Buckingham was controversially sacked by the U’s in the aftermath of their 3-1 defeat at home against Sheffield Wednesday.
The loss extended a troubling run of form for United, who have just one win in their last 15 Sky Bet Championship games, but thanks to a strong start, are still above the relegation zone.
The Oxford Mail understands that an appointment to replace Buckingham will be made in time for the trip to Leeds United on Saturday.
Des Buckingham (Image: Mike Allen) But who are the top five names among the bookies upon publication late afternoon on Monday?
READ ALSO: Des Buckingham delivers classy message following surprise U’s sacking
Gary Rowett
Experienced manager Rowett is the current favourite with the bookies for the vacancy, and is listed at 4/5.
He began his managerial journey at Burton Albion, who he led to two failed League Two play-off campaigns.
Rowett has since taken charge of Birmingham City, Derby County, Stoke City and Millwall in the Championship, before returning to Birmingham in an interim capacity at the end of last season.
Mark Robins
More than seven years at Coventry City came to an end last month, when Robins was controversially sacked.
He guided the Sky Blues from League Two to a play-off final penalty shoot-out away from the Premier League.
The Sky Blues were beaten by Luton Town in the 2023 Championship play-off final, and last season, Robins took the team to the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals. He is 11/4 to take charge of the U’s.
Paddy McCarthy
Former Crystal Palace centre back McCarthy is understood by this newspaper to have been interviewed prior to the appointment of Buckingham last November.
Approaches for the 41-year-old were also reportedly dismissed by Palace when United were looking to replace Karl Robinson.
Palace first team coach McCarthy, who has twice taken caretaker duty of the Premier League club, is 5/1 with bookies.
Steven Schumacher
Schumacher (12/1) was Ryan Lowe’s assistant at Plymouth Argyle, before taking the top job when Lowe left for Preston North End.
The Pilgrims won the League One title under Schumacher in the 2022/23 season, and he switched to Stoke City in December of last year, but was sacked two days after the 1-0 defeat against the U’s in September.
John Terry
A surprise entrance into the top five among the bookies is former Chelsea and England captain Terry (12/1).
He won 15 major honours with the Blues, and scored 67 goals in 717 appearances for the club.
Terry has worked on the coaching staff at Aston Villa and Leicester City, and is currently a Chelsea academy coach.
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