Rowett will 'do everything' to move Oxford forward

Gary Rowett has been appointed the new head coach of Oxford United

New Oxford United boss Gary Rowett has promised fans that he will "give everything" as he takes over the reigns as the U's head coach.

Oxford announced Rowett's appointment on Friday having sacked Des Buckingham after some poor form saw the side drop to within a point of the Championship relegation zone.

Following around a year out of management, Rowett steps into the Kassam Stadium tasked with the job of trying to keep the Yellows in England's second tier.

"I'm really excited to be here," Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford.

"We're at the stage where I just want to get to work, get on the training ground and meet the players, I've had more or less a year recharging my batteries but I'm ready to go."

Rowett took charge of Birmingham City in March 2024 on a caretaker basis for the final eight games of last season after illness forced Tony Mowbray to step away.

He won three times but could not prevent Blues from being relegated to League One and left ahead of Blues appointing current boss Chris Davies.

Oxford started this season with an encouraging run of form under Buckingham, spending time in the top half of the table and going on a six-game unbeaten streak at home.

The U's did not lose in the league at the Kassam until November when Swansea turned them over 2-1.

A home victory over Hull City reassured some fans that they were back on track but Oxford then went lost five out of their next six, resulting in Buckingham's dismissal.

"I saw how well the team started this season," Rowett said.

"The Championship has this really uncanny way of dragging you back down. It's such a competitive league but the team have shown their potential.

"I'm excited because it's a really good group - most importantly to me it looks like a group that wants to work really hard to try and achieve success.

"Now it's up to me to try to find the right balance and chemistry to give them the chance to show the quality they've got.

"It's important that they get the opportunity to stamp their authority on Championship matches."

Rowett respectful of 'popular' Buckingham

News of Buckingham's sacking was met with plenty of criticism from U's fans.

Many felt sorry for the 39-year-old who had local links to the area and got the club promoted to the second tier of English football for the first time in a quarter of a century after winning the League One play-off final at Wembley.

"I'm really respectful of the fact that Des was a really popular guy," Rowett told.

"Him being local also means a lot more to the fans and I respect the role he played in getting the club to where they are now.

"But my whole focus now is to move Oxford United forward.

"I'll do that with everything I can, I'll put a lot of effort into that. I'm a passionate manager and I love the game.

"I've got to try to move the team forward, I'll try to do it by hopefully winning games, by trying to create performances that excite the fans and make them buy into what the team do."

Oxford travel to Leeds United on Saturday [15:00 GMT] where it's been confirmed that Rowett will watch on from the stands before taking charge fully for the visit of Cardiff City on Boxing Day.

Gary Rowett previously managed Birmingham City and Millwall