Oxford United Sack Karl Robinson After Poor Run Continues With 3-0 Loss to Bristol Rovers

Oxford United have released a statement confirming the departure of Karl Robinson who leaves his role as Head Coach at the club with immediate effect, with the search for a replacement already underway with fans lamenting for a return for ex-boss Michael Appleton, but with Neil Critchley and Nathan Jones also in the running.

It was evident that yesterdays loss at the Kassam Stadium had seen the fans support at breaking support with the team dropping to 17th place in League One and just 5 points clear of the looming relegation zone, and crucially having played more games. The next fixtures are looking bleak with Lincoln away, who are undefeated at home this season, and then high flying Derby at home.

The club expect the coaching staff of Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown to take charge of the First Team until a suitable replacement is found.

“The board would like to thank Karl for his hard work and efforts in the five years since he joined, but recent results and performances mean that a change is needed.”

Club statement

Despite the poor results, fans would do well to remember the good times, with former MK Dons and Charlton boss Robinson, 42, overseeing 80 wins from 195 games. The previous seasons may have inflated the optimism for success, finishing in the play-off places in 19/20 and 20/21. Despite last seasons 8th place finish, the goals were flowing and it was exciting to watch.

A flurry of players leaving have contributed to the teams lack of potency in front of goal this season, where the U’s have only scored 36 goals from 34 games, with only 9 wins. Kidlington born local hero Matty Taylor left for Port Vale on loan and wasn’t replaced so the goals always looked in short supply.

Merseyside-born Robinson became the youngest football league manager when appointed manager of MK Dons at just 29. After 6 years, he was fired following a 3-0 loss to Southend.

He later joined Charlton for 18 months, before leaving by mutual consent to join Oxford United on the 22nd March 2018, with the club in 16th place and 6 points off the relegation zone. Arguably, despite the parallels, Robinson left the club in a better position than where he found it.

Season 17/18 final position: 16th

Season 18/19 final position: 12th

Season 19/20 final position: 4th (league stopped early due to Covid – Lost in Play-off final 1-2 to Wycombe

Season 20/21 final position: 6th Lost in Playoffs to Blackpool 6–3 on aggregate

Season 21/22 final position: 8th

Season 22/23 current position: 17th

Oxford United Results this season under Karl Robinson