Oxford United Captain Moore Links Coach’s Exit to Team’s Recent Performance

Elliott Moore, captain of Oxford United, stated that former head coach Des Buckingham “paid the price” due to the U’s players’ recent poor performance. Buckingham’s tenure concluded on Sunday, with the club expressing gratitude for his contributions at the Kassam Stadium while announcing a decision to pursue a new direction. Oxford currently sits one point and two positions above the Championship relegation zone, having failed to secure a win in their last five matches. Speaking before Saturday’s match against Leeds United, Moore remarked: “The players are the ones that go out on the pitch and the coach pays the price.” He added, “Ultimately it comes down to us to put in a performance and from inside the camp we know that our levels as a team and individuals have dropped off in the last month.” Moore also noted, “We started the season well and it might have heightened expectation from us as well as the outside.” Concluding his comments, he stated, “It’s up to us now to just get our heads down and work, we need to start picking up some points.” According to BBC Radio Oxford, Gary Rowett, formerly manager of Millwall and Birmingham City, is reportedly nearing an agreement to join the club as Buckingham’s successor. This week, Craig Short has assumed caretaker management responsibilities, assisted by fellow first-team coaches Chris Hackett and Lewis Price, a setup expected to remain in place for the upcoming game at Elland Road.