Oxford United have identified Oldham Athletic manager David Unsworth as a potential candidate to take the reins at the Kassam Stadium, according to Football Insider.
Oxford United parted company with manager Karl Robinson last week and are currently under the supervision of the coaching trio of Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown in the interim whilst the search for a new boss goes on.
One name they have been heavily linked to since Robinson’s sacking is Charlton Athletic boss Dean Holden, although other reports have stated that an official approach is yet to be made for the Addicks man.
Now another name has been thrown into the mix with Football Insider reporting that Oldham Athletic’s Unsworth is ‘in the frame’ to take over. The 49-year-old was only appointed in September, but could already be moving up through the divisions should he land the Oxford United job.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE! 🚨 – Oldham Athletic boss David Unsworth is in the frame for the vacant Oxford United post. ✅
– The U's are considering the former Everton man after sacking Karl Robinson last month. ⚠
– Unsworth only joined Oldham in September. 🔵⚪#OUFC #OAFC
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) March 7, 2023
A strange pursuit all things considered…
Unsworth seems to be in the frame based on reputation alone. He has experience as a player and was caretaker boss at Everton on two separate occasions in 2016 and 2017 respectively, but that is where his managerial experience ends, and so it seems a strange pursuit as far as Oxford United are concerned.
Having been given the job at Oldham Athletic earlier in the season, his side currently sit 15th in the National League, which doesn’t necessarily bode well should he be appointed at the Kassam Stadium, especially given the step up two divisions.
Charlton Athletic’s Holden looks to be a far better candidate to take over from Robinson, although it may be a tougher task to land him in the weeks to come. Whatever happens, Oxford United will want to get a new man through the door as quickly as possible to help their chances of putting some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
