Former Watford star among favourites to take over at Charlton Athletic’s League One promotion rivals

A former Watford midfielder with 157 league appearances for the Hornets, has been installed among the early favourites to become the new Oxford United manager after Liam Manning’s departure to Bristol City on Tuesday.

John Eustace has been out of football since the start of October when he was relieved of his duties as Birmingham City boss, despite having positioned the club in the Championship play-offs at the time of his departure. Eustace was credited with keeping the Blues afloat in the Championship last season amid a backdrop of off the field struggles. The club had been placed as the bookmakers favourites for the drop before the season, but ultimately finished in 17th position, which was the club’s best league finish since 2016.

The ex-Hornets midfielder, who spent five years as a player at Vicarage Road, has been involved in coaching since 2016 and is credited with a successful two year stint in charge of National League side Kidderminster Harriers at the start of his managerial journey. During his time with the Worcestershire outfit he helped the team reach the play-offs in both seasons and is praised for his side’s entertaining brand of football which was described by Worcester News in 2017 as the ‘non league Barcelona’.

Oxford are currently second in League One after 15 games with 10 victories, two draws and three losses. They are locked level on points with third place Bolton Wanderers and are aiming to find a replacement for Manning to continue the club’s promising start.

Eustace is currently priced at 5/1 to land the role with Des Buckingham the early favourite at 3/1. Danny Cowley, who has been out of work since leaving Portsmouth in January is 6/1.

Next Oxford United manager odds

Des Buckingham - 3/1

John Eustace - 5/1

Danny Cowley - 6/1

Steve Cotterill - 8/1

Dean Holden - 8/1

Luke Williams - 12/1

Dave Challinor - 14/1

Brian Barry Murphy - 14/1

Stephen Bradley - 14/1

Craig Short - 16/1

Nathan Jones - 16/1

Frank Lampard - 16/1

Nigel Pearson - 16/1