Mumbai City FC boss Des Buckingham is likely to leave the club to join Oxford United FC in England. Buckingham guided the Islander to the ISL Shield win in the 2022-23 season. He will succeed Liam Manning at the League One club, who joined Bristol City earlier this month. Buckingham will make an emotional return to Oxford starting his career as a player in the club’s ranks.
Earlier reports suggested that the League One team was in talks with Buckingham, but the deal is now nearing completion. According to TOI journalist Marcus Mergulhao and The Sun writer Tom Barclay, Des Buckingham is preparing for his departure and to succeed Liam Manning, who joined Bristol City earlier this month.
Des Buckingham Tenure at Mumbai City FC:
After working as an assistant manager with City Football Group team Melbourne City FC, the 38-year-old joined Mumbai City FC in 2021. The Islanders finished fifth in the league in his first season, with 31 points in 20 games.
The team also competed in the AFC Champions League in 2022. They were the first Indian club to win a game in the competition when they defeated Iraqi champions Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. With two victories, Mumbai City finished second in their group. They nearly missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages, finishing fifth among the top second-placed teams.
Following a good season, the club began the 2022-23 season with a bang, finishing second in the Durand Cup. They extended their great form into the ISL, where they dominated the league stages.
Under Buckingham’s leadership, Mumbai City FC not only won the ISL Shield but also set records for most points and goals scored in league history. Despite a semi-final defeat, Buckingham made headlines during a remarkable season for the club.
Meanwhile, the team will look for a new head coach. It will be intriguing to see whether City Football Group chooses a candidate from inside their club network or hires an outside head coach. However, no rumours about potential head coaches are now circulating. However, Mumbai City FC will play FC Nassaji Mazandaran in the AFC Champions League on November 28.
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