Spending a decade traveling the world and incorporating the essence and culture of Oceania and India into his work has deepened Des Buckingham’s love for his hometown.
This affection shines through as he energetically tours Oxford United’s training facility, making introductions, taking a moment to appreciate nostalgic photographs on the walls, and reminiscing about the players he admired growing up.
His nostalgia is palpable when he reaches across his desk to point out the location of his former home. ‘About 400 metres that way,’ he gestures. ‘Just off Horsforth Road.’
These memories precede the establishment of the modern training complex. ‘We trained wherever we could find space, including Bicester for a while and on the fields opposite the BMW factory.’
Buckingham has witnessed Oxford United endure some tough times since his first visit to the Manor Ground in 1990.
Des Buckingham guided Oxford to promotion from League One after his return to the club
Buckingham’s eventful journey included him taking charge of Mumbai City in India
‘A lot of memories,’ he reflects. ‘The away end with no roof meant their fans would get wet when it rained, and there was the slope—a drop of about six feet from one end to the other.
‘I remember going there at five years old with my nan, who has since passed away. She held a season ticket for years and would have been thrilled to see us at Wembley.’ This refers to the triumph in May against Bolton in the play-off final, making Buckingham one of the few managers to guide Oxford into the second tier of English football.
It’s been 25 years since they last competed at Championship level, having spent four years in non-league before starting their ascent in 2010. Buckingham’s return and the team’s promotion story stands out as one of last season’s most compelling narratives.
‘This club means a lot to the Oxford community,’ states the 39-year-old ahead of the season opener against Norwich. ‘Leading the hometown team out at Wembley is an incredible feeling. Hearing the referee’s whistle and securing the win, it took a while to fully appreciate the magnitude of it. I hope to experience it again.’
Buckingham fulfilled his promise to fans by sharing a childhood photo of himself at age one wearing a sombrero and a U’s scarf while holding a flag from the club’s 1986 League Cup victory.
He started coaching in his teens as a part-timer with the Under-9s in Oxford’s setup, all while teaching at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, eventually moving up to the first team staff under Chris Wilder.
His pivotal leap came when he accepted a role at Wellington Phoenix in 2014. He briefly returned to the UK to work at Stoke City before heading back to New Zealand, then Australia and India.
‘It seemed illogical at the time but felt right,’ he reflects. ‘I wanted to be a head coach and lacked experience managing budgets and teams. New Zealand offered that chance. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.’
Buckingham relished the opportunity that he was afforded in charge of New Zealand’s U20s
Taking charge of Wellington Phoenix was the best decision of Buckingham’s life
As the head coach of New Zealand’s Under-20s, he entered the prestigious High Performance Sport NZ programme, which aims to fast-track the development of eight elite coaches from various sports each year. Notably, All Blacks legend Steve Hansen is a graduate of this program, which leverages the traditions and culture of the indigenous Maori people to explore identity.
The program encompasses inquiries into identity, focusing on personal history, representation, legacy, and the notion of ‘home.’ What does it mean? How does it manifest? How does one fall in love with their sport?
‘It was probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever felt,’ Buckingham shares, recounting how he spoke to a group of strangers about Oxford—not the iconic landmarks, but rather about his grandmother and the now-gone Manor Ground.
This narrative laid the groundwork for success at the U20 World Cup in 2019, where New Zealand triumphed over Norway and Honduras to progress to the last 16. Christian Penny, the architect of the High Performance Sport NZ program, made a special trip from his commitments at the Olympics in Paris to speak with Oxford’s players during pre-season. Buckingham also gained elite coaching insights within the City Football Group in Melbourne and Mumbai before taking over Oxford in November after Liam Manning’s departure to Bristol City.
‘Ultimately, it was mainly a football decision,’ he clarifies. ‘I’d like to think my connection to the club didn’t weigh too heavily on the choice. It’s a delightful bonus. What mattered most was the alignment of the club’s ambitions with mine. Our goal is to develop into a sustainable Championship club and eventually become a top-30 club seeking further opportunities.’
Buckingham coached Sam Long at Under-9 level and the 29-year-old remains at the club
Although it will be challenging, Buckingham is eager for Oxford to impress in Championship
He returned to find many familiar faces, including Sam Long, a defender he trained in the U9s who is now a mainstay in the first team.
Plans for a new 16,000-seat stadium near Kidlington are set to be presented to city planners next year, which would liberate Oxford from the unwelcoming Kassam Stadium, with its lease expiring in 2026.
For now, there stands a young, ambitious coach eager to make a mark with his hometown club.
‘We know what to expect,’ Buckingham says. ‘We will likely be one of the smaller clubs in this league, but we refuse to sit back and play unattractive football. Our goal is to draw fans and provide an exciting experience. It’s been a long wait, and there is palpable excitement in the air.’
