Next Oxford United Manager: Ex QPR and Sunderland boss 'in contention' for Championship job

Former QPR and Sunderland manager Michael Beale has emerged as an early frontrunner to take on the newly vacated position at Oxford United after the Championship outfit parted ways with Gary Rowett on Tuesday.

The U’s sit 22nd in the second tier, three points away from safety. Oxford United were beaten 1-0 by Charlton Athletic last weekend and are winless in their last four outings.

The club hosts Southampton on Boxing Day before welcoming Swansea City at the end of the month and will do so with Craig Short in interim charge. Rowett had been appointed at the Kassam Stadium in December 2024 and helped the club secure safety in its first season of second tier football in 25 years.

Oxford United part ways with Gary Rowett

On confirming Rowett’s departure, chairman Grant Ferguson said: “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.

“However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the Club. On behalf of the Board, I would like to place on record our thanks to Gary and Mark for their contribution to the Football Club and to wish them all the best for the future.”

The club has confirmed that the process to find a new head coach is already underway. Alan Nixon reports that Beale is in the frame to take on the role, having not been in the dugout since a brief stint as assistant manager to Steven Gerrard at Saudi side Al-Ettifaq between November 2024 and January 2025.

Ex QPR and Sunderland boss linked with Kassam Stadium job

Oxford United chiefs are said to view Beale as the right fit for the job with Liam Manning and Steve Bruce also named as potential options. It’s fair to say that Beale may not be treated to a warm welcome should he return to Loftus Road or Sunderland with Oxford United. The 44-year-old left both of those posts in a cloud of controversy.

Beale arrived at Loftus Road in June 2022 and, after winning just one of his first five matches, eventually hauled QPR to the top of the Championship table in October 2022. Beale was then approached by Wolves thanks to his work but turned down the Premier League opportunity to stay in west London.

At the time, the head coach spoke of his loyalty to QPR. He said: “Integrity is a real big thing for me, and loyalty. You don’t give it to receive it back, but if those are the things you live by, then at times when you are put in a position you have to be strong by them.

“I don’t think we are anywhere near where I want QPR to be as a group. I’m enjoying working with them, we’ve got a lot to do, but I’m excited by it. There’s going to be some bumps in the road, but I’ve been all in here and I’ve asked other people to be all in, so I can’t be the first person to run away from the ship.”

However, just a month later, Beale opened talks with Scottish Premiership side Rangers and eventually quit Loftus Road. At the time, QPR director of football Les Ferdinand said: “Naturally we are hugely disappointed to lose Mick.

“Our extensive research when we were looking for a new head coach highlighted him as being very much aligned with the direction we are moving in as a football club. The start to the season we have made, coupled with very attractive football being played, gave us cause for optimism as we looked to build on the previous three seasons. That optimism remains but there is no doubt it is a blow to lose Mick so soon into his tenure.”

Beale spent 11 months with Rangers before being sacked in October 2023 after three defeats in seven league matches. The manager then moved to Sunderland in December 2023 but had been sacked by February 2024.

The manager fell out with Black Cats fans during that time. In January 2024, he said: "If anyone at looks at my CV, I've worked for massive football clubs so I get the expectations, that's no problem.

"People didn't want me here in the first place. We can say afterwards that it's about style of this or style of that, let's be honest and cut to the chase, people didn't want me so I'll come and do the work and ultimately, we'll win games or we won't. That's the reality, there wasn't a feel-good factor about me coming in which is fine, you get on with the work and I'm not crying over it. I'm a big boy and I'm experienced.”

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