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Rooney, Pelach and sacking confirmed - who's gone and who could be next among Derby County rivals
It may be the time of year to be full of festive cheer but there is not much mirth and merriness at some of Derby County's rivals now the Championship sacking season has begun.
Des Buckingham was sacked by Oxford yesterday, Mark Robins was axed by Coventry City, Neil Harris has left Millwall and there are others in and around the Rams who are really feeling the heat.
Hull City have fired their manager Tim Walter but prop up the rest of the division and both Narcis Pelach and Wayne Rooney are also under major pressure heading into the festive period.
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Here Derbyshire Live takes a look at those managers who have gone or are under serious threat of the chop with the Championship leading the way for sackings in the Football League this season.
Des Buckingham - sacked
Saturday's defeat to Sheffield Wednesday proved the final straw for Oxford United's hierarchy who axed Des Buckingham yesterday.
Oxford have won just once in 15 games with eight of those being defeats. Buckingham did a fine job in guiding the Us out of League One last season when they won the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers but the leap from the Championship is a significant and incredibly tough leap.
There were a lot of Oxford fans unhappy with the decision, but in a statement the club said: "Oxford United can confirm that Des Buckingham has left his role as Men’s First Team Head Coach.
"Des was appointed in November 2023 and led the Club to promotion to the EFL Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Des for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. The appointment of a new head coach will be confirmed in due course."
Narcis Pelach - under pressure
The Stoke City manager is currently feeling the heat at Stoke City with the Potters having failed to hit any real momentum since his arrival as Steven Schumacher's replacement.
The atmosphere at the Bet365 was described by one fan on social media as toxic during the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City at the weekend as Ben Gibson conjured up a stoppage-time equaliser.
Speaking after the game, he said: "I'm confident about this. I'm not showing frustration by the way, I'm angry. I'm disappointed with the performance, I'm angry. I take responsibility for this, when it happens, it's my responsibility.
"It's down to me. I make the decisions, I'm the one taking training, I'm the one speaking to the team, I'm the one deciding everything. It's not frustration. I will work as much as I can, I'll do as much as I can and frustration is a big word.
"I believe I can turn this around, of course, I've been in worse positions in my life than this, it's not a problem. But I'm angry and I'm not going to hide it. I'm an honest guy and if I feel it's not right I will say it to you guys and to my team and my staff."
Stoke have won just twice in 14 games and the sacking of Schumacher hasn't brought them any vast change in fortunes. He needs a big December if he is to turn it around.
Neil Harris - gone
Neil Harris has decided to call time on his reign as Millwall boss despite the club sitting 13th in the table.
A club favourite, Harris explained it was not an easy decision but it did come after he had called a section of the fans 'thickos' following a defeat to Coventry City.
Harris said in a letter published on the club website: “This isn’t an easy decision, as everyone knows this club is more than a job to me, it’s my club, and always will be. Being here always felt like home, as a player, as a captain, and as a manager. We are a family, and it’s been my life for so many years. But I always said when I returned that I would leave when the time felt right, and now is that time.
“Coming back last season and all the highs that came with it will never be rivalled. It was one of the highlights of my career. We fought together as a team, as fans and as a united football club. We have some special characters in this team. They are dedicated and hungry to do well. With the right encouragement and support, I’m sure they can achieve great things.
“I would like to thank all the staff at the club for their loyalty and support and especially the owner James Berylson, for welcoming me back. He’s been superb to work with, and I will always be grateful for the great friendship we shared. We have the most passionate fans in the country, and your support has meant the world to me. We are often misunderstood, but the uniqueness of Millwall is also what makes us so special.”
Wayne Rooney - under pressure
The former Derby County manager is feeling the heat at Plymouth although he has had some severe injury problems to deal with. Last week, ex-Rams analyst Pete Shuttleworth left Argyle due to personal reasons with ex-Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan taking his place.
Plymouth produced a decent display against Sheffield United at the weekend, but they still lost 2-0 and are currently sat second from bottom in the table. They have lost their last four games but Rooney does have the backing of the Plymouth board.
Club owner and chairman Simon Hallett told a recent fans' forum: "Clearly, we are all under pressure. We are not playing well, we are not doing on the pitch what we wanted us to do. So we are all feeling the pressure. Fans are feeling the pressure, the board is feeling the pressure and Wayne is feeling the pressure. What we are going to do is not think about getting rid of him and changing him. We are thinking about how we can support him.
"So there are no conversations going on about replacing Wayne but there are conversations going on about how we can support him to help him become the great coach we think is in there."
Tim Walter - sacked
Hull City sacked Liam Rosenior after just missing out on the playoffs last season because their football was not deemed attacking enough.
How owner Acun Ilıcali must regret that decision now. After appointing Tim Walter as his successor, Hull currently prop up the Championship which just goes to show how one bad decision can change everything - and not for the better. Hull lost again at the weekend and have turned to Ruben Selles to get them out of trouble. They will probably spend big again in January to help them and it just goes to show that chopping and changing managers comes at a pretty big cost.
