United legend faces heart-wrenching call as he emerges as “leading contender” for Championship hotseat – report

Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea is a candidate to take over the vacant manager’s role at Oxford United, according to a report. From Coach to Manager O’Shea, 44, is currently the Republic of Ireland’s assistant coach, having joined the senior set up in 2023 after three years in the same role for the U-21 side previously. The Waterford-native, who made 118 appearances for the Green Army across a storied 20-year career, even took over as interim manager for eight months after Stephen Kenny’s contract expired. O’Shea then returned to his role as a member of the backroom staff once Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrímsson was appointed to lead Ireland in June 2024. But the ex-Red Devil has evidently not lost sight of being the main man in the dug out as the i Paper reveals he is “keen to test himself in club management” — with Oxford United identifying him as a target to take over at the Kassam Stadium. A Leading Candidate “The Championship strugglers are holding talks with various candidates this week as they continue their search for Gary Rowett’s replacement,” the report details. “John O’Shea and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are among the big names who have shown an interest in the Oxford United job, which has drawn a huge number of enquiries. “The Championship strugglers have begun interviewing contenders for the vacancy created by their decision to sack Gary Rowett just before Christmas and spoke to a number of candidates on Sunday.” Interestingly, O’Shea is “not one of those spoken to yet” but well-placed sources believe he will “emerge as a leading contender” in a process which Oxford United chairman Erick Thohir is being patient over.  The U’s are perilously close to the relegation zone in the Championship in 21st place, with only goal-difference keeping them safe at present. It would constitute a baptism by fire for a young coach making their first foray into management at club level —but O’Shea has never been one to shy away from a challenge.  A more important consideration, however, is the World Cup play-offs in March where Ireland face Czechia in pursuit of next summer’s tournament in North America. Were O’Shea to accept the head job with Oxford United, it may prevent him from helping his country realise their World Cup dream — or, conversely, risk spreading himself too thin by attempting to do both.  The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.