Chelsea legend John Terry has emerged as a candidate to become the next manager of Oxford United following the departure of Gary Rowett.
Rowett was sacked after a string of disappointing results, with the team managing just one win in their last 10 league matches, costing him his job at the Kassam Stadium after only a year in charge.
All eyes are now on Rowett’s successor, with John Terry emerging as a potential target. The former Blues defender is seeking his first head coaching opportunity, having previously served as an assistant coach at Aston Villa and Leicester City under Dean Smith, before returning to coach Chelsea’s academy in 2023.
Terry is not the only candidate, with other prominent names on the shortlist including Michael Bell, former Rangers and Queens Park Rangers manager, as well as Tony Mowbray, Paddy McCarthy, and Liam Manning.
Currently, Craig Short is in interim charge, having led the team to a 2-1 Boxing Day victory over Southampton, a win that lifted Oxford out of the relegation zone on goal difference ahead of Portsmouth. The club hopes to appoint a permanent manager before their upcoming fixtures against Ipswich and Sheffield United in early 2026.
It’s worth noting that Terry, 45, has always been on Oxford’s radar, having interviewed for the position in November 2023 before the club ultimately appointed Des Buckingham, who guided the team to promotion via the play-offs.
