Former Birmingham City and Millwall boss in 'pole position' to take over at Championship club

Former Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett is in 'advanced' talks to take over at Oxford United, it has been reported.

John Percy, the Midlands football reporter for the Telegraph says that Rowett is in 'advanced' talks with the U's. Negotiations are said to be ongoing but the 50-year-old is in pole position, with Oxford United favouring experience in their bid for survival in the Championship.

Rowett emerged as the bookies favourite for the job at the Kassam Stadium, and it looks like it’s his to lose now. Should an agreement be made between the two parties this would be his first job since his time at interim manager at St Andrew’s came to an end in May.

He stood in for the final eight games of the season, taking over from Mark Venus, who was standing in for Tony Mowbray. Rowett oversaw three wins, two draws, and three defeats during his second spell in charge, but was relegated by a point.

The former Everton defender has a vast amount of experience in the Championship, having managed 370 games. He was taken from League Two to the Championship by Birmingham and guided them to two 10th-placed finishes, and departed Birmingham with them in eighth and just outside the play-offs.

Rowett later took over Derby County, and got them to the play-offs but lost to Fulham. He had a short spell at Stoke City but was relieved of his duties after 26 matches. He spent four-and-a-half seasons at Millwall, where they finished in the top half.

Oxford hope to have a manager in place for their next game which is a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Saturday (December 21). A busy festive period awaits Des Buckingham's successor with games against relegation rivals Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle over Christmas, as well as managerless Millwall.