New Oxford United boss Des Buckingham believes his diverse coaching background will be a positive for the U’s as he makes the step into English Football League managemet.
Buckingham has previous experience coaching in the UK as the 38-year-old worked with the U’s youth teams and at Stoke City with the under-21s. In the 2013/14 season, the Buckingham also worked under Chris Wilder as part of the backroom staff team at the Kassam Stadium.
However, the Oxford-born coach broadened his football experience by managing Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand before working with the All Whites’ youth teams between 2018 and 2020. Buckingham also had stints in charge of the New Zealand national team and led Mumbai City before his recent appointment as U’s boss on November 16.
The 38-year-old has had plenty of variation throughout his coaching career, which he sees as a positive rather than a limitation.
When asked about his lack of coaching in the EFL by the Oxford Mail, Buckingham explained that his prior coaching experiences, combined with Oxford’s existing set-up, is an ideal match.
“There are probably two answers for me. The first is there’s the way clubs are now set up, it’s not overly reliant on the head coach knowing everything and setting everything up.
“There are very good people in this building, in very good roles. It’s about utilising the skillsets of those people to go far further than that one person could.
“I’d also like to think from my coaching journey that yes, not EFL experience, but lots of good experiences in terms of building up my coaching and my coaching CV.
“I think coming back now, at the right time, is a good fit and it feels right. I think the group’s in a healthy space and the club certainly is.
“I feel like I can come back and add some of that experience, and take it on alongside everyone else here.”
Writer’s View
Buckingham’s appointment was a big uplift for U’s fans following the acrimonious departure of Liam Manning to Bristol City, especially as the former Oxford United youth player knows the club well.
However, sentiment aside, question marks about Buckingham’s experience will come to the fore if the U’s cannot build early momentum under his stewardship. There is also added pressure for the 38-year-old as Oxford currently sit second in League One and he will be tasked with holding onto the automatic promotion spot.
