Leeds United’s next opponents Oxford set to appoint familiar face as new manager before Elland Road clash

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United play their final match before Christmas against Oxford United on Saturday.

Daniel Farke will be glad to be returning to Elland Road after another difficult away match at Preston North End, in which a 1-1 draw made it just one win in six games on the road.

However, Leeds have been a completely different beast on home soil and can make it nine wins in a row at Elland Road when they face Oxford.

Oxford have been in some really poor form as of late with just one win in 15 and as a result, opted to sack manager Des Buckingham on Sunday.

Despite their poor form, Buckingham’s dismissal came as a real shock consider he did have them just outside the bottom three, having guided Oxford to promotion from League One in May.

• READ MORE: Leeds United told superstar forward would ‘love to’ move to Elland Road in future

Oxford close to Gary Rowett appointment ahead of Leeds

Considering the quickfire nature of Buckingham’s exit, many will have wondered whether Oxford had anyone lined up in time to be in the dugout at Leeds.

However, according to Daily Telegraph journalist John Percy, Oxford are closing in on the appointment of a new manager in time for the trip to West Yorkshire.

Percy claims former Birmingham City and Millwall boss Gary Rowett is now in advanced talks over becoming their new manager, with negotiations ongoing between the two parties.

Rowett is in ‘pole position’ for the role with Oxford on the lookout for some Championship experience in the hope of boosting their survival bid.

Since leaving Birmingham in May after failing to prevent them from being relegated into League One, Rowett has been doing punditry duty for Sky Sports.

As such, the 50-year-old has worked on a couple of Leeds matches this season, including both wins over Sheffield United and Swansea City, which makes Saturday slightly more interesting.

• READ MORE: ‘Get him we go up’… Leeds United fans have found the number 10 they want in January

Rowett record as manager vs Leeds

Rowett’s last meeting as a manager with Leeds came around 15 months ago as Millwall boss, when he was comfortably beaten 3-0.

He certainly has plenty of history with Leeds in recent years, with arguably the most eye-catching his defeat as Stoke City boss in Marcelo Bielsa’s first game in charge.