Notts County manager Luke Williams has confirmed there has been no approach from Oxford United, according to Mark-Kielesz-Levine.
In a short clip on his Twitter account, an interview with the County gaffer revealed the following: “There wasn’t an approach, so therefore I haven’t had to make that decision.” He had been heavily linked with the vacant job at the U’s, following Liam Manning’s departure to Bristol City.
Williams did reveal that former County forward Rúben Rodrigues had made contact with him, which was one of the reasons that had pushed him to the top of the bookmakers list. This was revealed via the clubs’ social media account, in an interview previewing the Magpies’ game against Bradford City at the weekend.
This development puts to bed the rumours that the former Swindon Town manager would be moving to the League One high-flyers. Notts have enjoyed a bright start to the campaign, sitting in fifth spot, only two points off the automatic promotion places.
However, they have hit a sticky patch of form in recent weeks, losing three of their last six games, including the last two against Wrexham and Crewe Alexandra. They will be hoping to end that losing streak when they entertain Bradford City in front of the Sky cameras this weekend. There was no new manager bounce for the Bantams at the weekend, as they lost to Barrow in Graham Alexander’s first match since taking charge of the League Two giants.
As far as Oxford’s own managerial situation goes, they are believed to be ‘agreeing compensation’ in their pursuit of a new manager, according to the Oxford Mail. It is said that the club are in ‘advanced negotiations’ with one club, putting Des Buckingham as the favourite after Williams was ruled out of the race.
Writer’s View
Finally, there is clarity for supporters of Notts County following many rumours this week. It is unlikely to have phased Williams, but it does mean that the club can swiftly get back to the football side of things ahead of their heavyweight tussle with the West Yorkshire side at the weekend.
As for Oxford, it leaves them needing to make a swift appointment in order to continue their aim of automatic promotion out of League One. After seven seasons in the third tier, they’ll be hoping they don’t waste this opportunity with the current crop of players to gain promotion to the Championship for the first time in over two decades.
