Championship strugglers sack manager two days before Christmas after dropping into relegation zone

Oxford United have sacked manager Gary Rowett with the club lying in the Championship relegation zone.

Oxford slipped into the bottom three following a 1-0 defeat by Charlton on Saturday, with the club having won just one of their last 10 matches in the competition.

Rowett had been appointed as Oxford manager last December and helped keep the club up in their first season back in the Championship.

The 51-year-old has left the club with his assistant Mark Sale. 

‘Gary joined during a challenging period and deserves immense credit for the hard work and leadership that saw us retain our Championship status last season,’ said Oxford chairman Grant Ferguson.

‘However, following a disappointing run of results, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interests of the Club.

The Championship club are two points from safety having won four of their 22 league matches

‘On behalf of the Board, I would like to place on record our thanks to Gary and Mark for their contribution to the Football Club and to wish them all the best for the future.’ 

Rowett took charge of exactly 50 matches at Oxford, winning 14, drawing 15 and losing 21 games.

Oxford, however, have won just four of their 22 Championship matches so far this season.

The Championship club has confirmed Craig Short will take interim charge of the team.

Short will be supported by Chris Hackett and Lewis Price.

Oxford will face Southampton on Boxing Day, before welcoming Swansea on December 29.

Oxford are currently two points adrift of Portsmouth, who lie just outside the relegation zone.

There is a bigger gap of six points to Blackburn.