Oxford United have finally announced Gary Rowett as the club’s new head coach.
The 50-year-old succeeds Des Buckingham, who was sacked last week, and will hope to maintain the U’s second-tier status.
Gary Rowett Becomes New Oxford United Head Coach
Championship Experience
Rowett brings more than a decade of Championship managerial experience with him after successful spells at Birmingham, Derby, Stoke and Millwall.
At Birmingham, the head coach achieved successive tenth-placed finishes before being sacked with the Midlands club in seventh.
He would help the Rams to ninth and six-placed finishes but lost in the playoffs before being dismissed as Stoke manager with the Potters in 14th.
At Millwall, Rowett led the Lions to an 11th spot, a ninth-placed finish and two eighth-placed positions, missing out on the playoffs on the final day in both of those campaigns.
Chairman Comments
Speaking to the club’s official website, chairman Grant Ferguson said: “Following a thorough and diligent recruitment process, I am delighted that Gary Rowett has agreed to join us as Head Coach.
“It was immediately clear from the discussions we had with him that Gary perfectly matched the vision and long-term objectives that we have for the Club.
“Every decision taken is with the best interests of Oxford United in mind and we are confident that Gary will be instrumental in fulfilling our ambitions this season and beyond.
“We look forward to working alongside and supporting Gary to help us achieve our goals.”
Oxford United Chief Executive Officer, Tim Williams, added: “To bring in a coach of Gary’s calibre and experience is a real statement of intent for this Club.
“Gary is someone who will drive our standards every day at our Training Ground and help us in our ambition to become a competitive Championship club.
“His proven track record of delivering consistent success in the Championship makes him the ideal candidate to strengthen the team on the pitch, while we continue to make improvements off it.”
Rowett will be in the stands as the U’s travel to Leeds tomorrow with his first game in the dugout on Boxing Day against Cardiff.
