Des Buckingham: EX Mumbai City FC Coach and Local Hero Leading Oxford United to Glory

 

Des Buckingham, former Mumbai City FC and New Zealand U-23 men's coach, is being hailed as a local hero after leading Oxford United to a historic promotion to the English Championship. In a thrilling match at Wembley Stadium, Oxford defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in front of a crowd of over 70,000, clinching promotion through the League One play-offs.

A Remarkable Turnaround

Buckingham, 39, took over as Oxford’s head coach in November 2023. His appointment came at a critical time for the club, which had narrowly avoided relegation to League Two by just two points in the previous season. Under his leadership, Oxford United underwent a stunning transformation. Despite winning only twice in 12 games between January and March, Buckingham masterminded a remarkable change in form, steering the team into the promotion play-offs.

A Dream Fulfilled

In his post-match interview, Buckingham reflected on the whirlwind of the past six months:

"The last six months have been a whirlwind. I spent nine years overseas so it’s not just been about taking a job back in the English Football League, it’s about proving that you can coach at this level, firstly to the players and to the fans and thirdly to everyone else that’s in this level of football. I’ll go to sleep tonight very content and very happy and when I wake up, I’ll hope it wasn’t a dream."

Hometown Glory

The victory at Wembley marks an extraordinary season for Oxford United and a personal triumph for Buckingham, who hails from Cowley, Oxford. Celebrating their promotion, the club’s website lauded Buckingham's achievements:

"In one of the most extraordinary seasons in Oxford United’s history, Des Buckingham, the local boy from Cowley, has led his team to promotion in his first season in charge. For Des Buckingham, it’s an incredible ending to his first season in the dugout. Taking over in November, the head coach has now continued his success from New Zealand, Australia, and India to bring more glory to his hometown club."

Buckingham was not alone in his journey. Also present at Wembley was Joe Moore, a former NZ Football analyst, who joined Buckingham’s staff in early 2024. Their collaboration proved to be a winning combination, leading Oxford United to a memorable season finale.

As Oxford United prepares for life in the Championship, the future looks bright under Buckingham's guidance. The local hero has proven his coaching prowess on an international stage and now brings that expertise back to his hometown. Oxford United fans can look forward to an exciting new chapter in the club’s history, driven by Buckingham’s vision and leadership.

Des Buckingham’s story is a story of power, perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of local roots. His journey from coaching overseas to achieving success at Oxford United is an inspiration, proving that with dedication and hard work, dreams can indeed come true.