Ex-Millwall boss in line for another Championship hotseat

Gary Rowett looks set to become Oxford United’s new manager following the sacking of Des Buckingham on Sunday.

Reports in various news outlets were saying this morning that the former Millwall boss is in advanced talks with the Championship outfit.

Rowett had four years at the Den but left by mutual consent in October last year.

The former defender, now 50, started his managerial career at Burton Albion in May 2012, who he led to two unsuccessful League Two play-off campaigns.

Rowett left the Brewers in October 2014 for Birmingham City in the Championship, and he spent just over two years at the club before being controversially sacked in December 2016 with the Blues seventh in the table.

He then joined fellow Championship side Derby County in March 2017, and guided the Rams to the 2018 play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Fulham.

Rowett switched to Stoke City soon after that play-off campaign, but was sacked in January 2019 before being appointed Millwall boss in October on that year.

He led the Lions to eighth place in the Championship, and then 11th, ninth and eighth in his three full seasons.

Rowett returned to Birmingham in an interim role in March, tasked with keeping the Blues in the Championship, but couldn’t maintain the club’s second tier status.

Should Rowett be confirmed as Oxford boss, he will not have to wait too long to come up against his old team. The Lions are due to host the U’s on New Year’s Day.

Pictured top: Rowett as Lions manager last year (Picture: SLP)