Des Buckingham Explained

Des Buckingham
Birth Date:7 February 1985
Birth Place:Oxford, England
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Oxford United (head coach)
Youthyears1:2000–2002
Youthclubs1:Reading
Youthyears2:2002–2004
Youthclubs2:Oxford United
Manageryears1:2016–2017
Managerclubs1:Wellington Phoenix (caretaker)
Manageryears2:2017
Managerclubs2:Wellington Phoenix
Manageryears3:2018–2020
Managerclubs3:New Zealand U20
Manageryears4:2019–2020
Managerclubs4:New Zealand U23
Manageryears5:2019
Managerclubs5:New Zealand (caretaker)
Manageryears6:2020–2021
Managerclubs6:Melbourne City FC (assistant)
Manageryears7:2021–2023
Managerclubs7:Mumbai City
Managerclubs8:Oxford United
Manageryears8:2023–

Des Buckingham (born 7 February 1985) is an English professional football manager who is the head coach of club Oxford United. Buckingham became the youngest head coach in the history of the A-League during the 2016–17 A-League season.[1]

Playing career

Born in Oxford, England, Buckingham had spells in the youth and reserve teams of English sides Reading and Oxford United.[2] [3] He initially began coaching in his teenage years with the Oxford junior sides, and later additionally joined Oxford & Cherwell Valley College in a full-time coaching and teaching role over a four-year period.[4]

Coaching career

Oxford United

Buckingham began his professional coaching career at Oxford United at the age of 18, initially working through the club's age-group squads. At the start of the 2013–14 Football League Two season, Buckingham progressed as a coach into the first team, under then-manager Chris Wilder.

Wellington Phoenix

After stints as a grassroots development manager at WaiBOP United and Capital Football (New Zealand), Buckingham joined the Wellington Phoenix during the 2014–15 A-League season under head coach Ernie Merrick. His initial role was goalkeeping coach. Before the start of the 2016–17 season he was made assistant coach. Merrick resigned from the club in early December 2016 at which point Buckingham was made the interim head coach. In early 2017, after 4 games as interim coach, he was appointed as manager until the end of the season.[4] At 31 years of age, he became the youngest manager in A-League history and was able to lift the club off the bottom of the table, finishing one place outside the playoffs at the end of the season.[5]

Stoke City

In July, 2017 Buckingham was granted permission to leave Wellington Phoenix and take up a role at Stoke City, then in the Premier League, as an assistant coach with their under-23 team.[6] [7]

New Zealand Football

A return to New Zealand in 2018 saw Buckingham appointed as head coach of the New Zealand U20 team and assistant manager of the senior national team.[8] [9]

New Zealand U20

In August, 2018 Buckingham led the team to the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship, qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[10] [11] At the World Cup, Buckingham's New Zealand side recorded their highest ever finish at a men's FIFA tournament, eventually being knocked out by Colombia in the round of 16 after a controversial penalty shoot-out.[12] [13] [14] The team also posted New Zealand's biggest ever win at a FIFA tournament, a 5–0 win over Honduras,[15] becoming the first New Zealand team to win back-to-back games at a FIFA event; the team also recorded their first ever win over European opposition with a 2–0 win over Norway.[16] [17] Buckingham earned plaudits for the team's quality of football and style of play. Former All Whites Ricki Herbert and Wynton Rufer praised the positive and attacking approach to winning games rarely seen before in New Zealand.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

New Zealand U23

Despite being linked to clubs in the English Football League and A-League, Buckingham accepted the New Zealand U23 managerial position in June 2019, leading the side into the 2019 Pacific Games and OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament.[24] [25] [26] Buckingham guided New Zealand to its first-ever gold medal at the 2019 Pacific Games, leading an U-23 side through an otherwise senior international competition undefeated.[27] [28] On 5 October 2019, Buckingham led New Zealand to its third Olympic Games, qualifying for Tokyo 2020 by winning the OFC U-23 Championship.[29] [30] In doing so, the team became the most dominant men's side to have played in an Oceania Football Confederation competition by winning all five games and finishing with a goal difference of +29.[31] The New Zealand U23 side remained unbeaten during his tenure, winning nine and drawing three of 12 games.[32] New Zealand Football announced that Buckingham would leave his role as coach of the under-23 side in April 2020, despite a large group of players writing to the governing body to request his retention as coach.[33] [34] [35] Buckingham's contract was not extended following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics and he was replaced by Danny Hay.[36] [37] Buckingham was named Men's Coach of the year at New Zealand Football Awards 2020.[38]

Melbourne City

In September 2020, Buckingham joined A-League club Melbourne City as Assistant Coach after being identified by the City Football Group.[39] He managed the team on multiple occasions in the absence of Patrick Kisnorbo, when was injured[40] or ill.[41] In his first season, Melbourne City claimed their maiden A-League trophy in the team's eleven-year history, winning the league to secure the A-League Premiers Plate.[42] The team completed the double a month later, winning their first A-League Grand Final.[43]

Mumbai City

2021–22 season

On 8 October 2021, Buckingham was appointed as the head coach of Indian Super League club Mumbai City of the City Football Group on a two-year contract.[44] [45] Under his management, the club began its 2021–22 season campaign with a 3–0 win on 22 November against FC Goa. In Buckingham's first season in charge, Mumbai City finished the season on fifth place, amassing 31 points from 20 games.

On 11 April 2022, Buckingham led City to their first win at the AFC Champions League, becoming the first Indian team to win a game in the competition, beating Iraqi Premier League champions Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 2–1 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Saudi Arabia.[46] [47] Buckingham's side became the most successful Indian Club to compete in the AFC Champions League,[48] finishing second in Group B, with results against Al-Jazira[49] and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya[50] adding to their second-round win. Mumbai City and Buckingham won praise for their fearless approach and positive playing style at the tournament.[51] [52] [53]

2022–23 season

On 18 August 2022, under Buckingham, Mumbai City made their Durand Cup debut with a 4–1 win over Indian Navy. The team progressed to the knockout stages, finishing top of their five-team group that included Indian Super League clubs ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.[54] Mumbai City advanced through the quarter-final stage, beating Chennaiyin before securing a win over Mohammedan in the semi-finals to make their first ever Durand Cup Final.[55] Mumbai City finished as runners-up in the tournament after a 2–1 loss to Bengaluru in the final on 18 September 2022.[56]

Mumbai City won the Indian Super League (ISL) on 11 February 2023 after an 18-match unbeaten streak, the longest in ISL history. Buckingham's side broke fifteen records while securing the title, including the most points and goals scored in a single season, while also having the best goal difference, most league wins and longest winning streak in the history of the competition.[57]

On 4 April 2023, Buckingham's team sealed a place in the 2023 AFC Champions League group stage after defeating Jamshedpur 3-1 in a play-off final, the first Indian Club to secure consecutive qualification to the pinnacle of Asian club football.[58] [59]

In May 2023, Buckingham was voted Coach of the Year by the Indian Players Football Association.[60]

Return to Oxford United

On 16 November 2023, Buckingham returned to League One club Oxford United on a long-term contract as head coach.[61] He led Oxford to promotion to the Championship at the end of the season, defeating Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Personal life

He was inducted into the 2019 edition of the High Performance Sport New Zealand Coach Accelerator Programme, a three-year programme aimed at developing and increasing New Zealand's pool of coaches.[62]

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
Team NatFrom To Record
Wellington Phoenix (interim)5 December 201631 December 2016
Wellington Phoenix1 January 20177 June 2017
New Zealand U2023 March 201831 December 2019 [63] [64]
New Zealand U2322 June 201930 April 2020 [65]
Melbourne City (caretaker) 2 March 202110 May 2021 [66]
8 October 2021 16 November 2023 [67] [68] [69] [70]
16 November 2023 Present
Total

Honours

New Zealand U20

2018

New Zealand U23

2019

2019 Melbourne City

Mumbai City

Oxford United

2024[72] Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Former United Coach becomes youngest A-League boss. Oxford Mail. 13 January 2017 . 17 November 2023.
  2. News: Meet the mystery man of the Wellington Phoenix interim co-coaching duo. Liam . Hyslop . Stuff Ltd. 15 December 2016 . 18 November 2023.
  3. News: Former Oxford United coach Des Buckingham on his rise to take charge of Wellington Phoenix. Oxford Mail . David . Pritchard . 10 February 2017 . 17 November 2023.
  4. News: Who is Phoenix Coach Des Buckingham. 5 January 2017 . John . Greco . https://web.archive.org/web/20200411123329/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/who-phoenix-coach-des-buckingham . 11 April 2020 . A-League . 18 November 2023.
  5. News: Football: Phoenix sign new coach. New Zealand Herald . Jason . Pine. 19 May 2017 . 17 November 2023.
  6. Web site: Wellington Phoenix coach departs for Premier League club. Wellington Phoenix FC. 3 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170706181302/http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/article/wellington-phoenix-coach-departs-for-premier-league-club/nso256zva2xh1wabwotjs9ack . 6 July 2017 . 17 November 2023.
  7. Web site: The A-League's youngest manager joins Stoke City . 3 July 2017 . Oceania Football Confederation . https://web.archive.org/web/20170906224559/https://oceaniafc.com/leagues-youngest-manager-joins-stoke-city . 6 September 2017 . 17 November 2023.
  8. Web site: NZ U-17 and U-20 Head Coaches confirmed. January 2018 . New Zealand Football . 23 January 2018.
  9. Web site: Des Buckingham returning to NZ to coach U20s as Jose Figueira gets U17s nod. Stuff Ltd . Liam . Hyslop . 26 January 2018 . 21 August 2018 . en.
  10. Web site: New Zealand win seventh title . Oceania Football Confederation . 21 August 2018 . 19 August 2018.
  11. Web site: U-20 men book berth at World Cup. New Zealand Football. 16 August 2018 . 18 November 2023.
  12. Web site: Oceania gear up to compete for sole Tokyo 2020 ticket. https://web.archive.org/web/20190920181229/https://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/oceania-gear-up-to-compete-for-sole-tokyo-2020-ticket. dead. 20 September 2019. FIFA . 20 September 2019. 20 September 2019.
  13. Web site: U-20s go out in heart-breaking fashion. New Zealand Football. 3 June 2019. 20 December 2023.
  14. News: New Zealand suffers heartbreaking loss to Columbia at FIFA U20 World Cup. Ben . Francis . . 3 June 2019 . 20 December 2023.
  15. Web site: New Zealand make history in Poland 2019 bow. https://web.archive.org/web/20190517053736/https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/match/400010588/. dead. 17 May 2019. FIFA . 24 May 2019.
  16. Web site: Stensness screamer seals U-20 passage. New Zealand Football . 28 May 2019 . 20 December 2023.
  17. Web site: History in sight for U-20s. New Zealand Football . 30 May 2019. 20 December 2023.
  18. News: How a football team of immigrants brings us closer together. Mark . Reason. Stuff Ltd. 2 June 2019. 20 December 2023.
  19. News: NZ under20s on fire but Phoenix suffer, and can Spurs upset Liverpool in the Champions League? . TVNZ. 29 May 2019.
  20. News: Progress made as FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign ends with heartbreak, not history. Andrew . Voerman. Stuff Ltd. 3 June 2019. 20 December 2023.
  21. News: Ex-Oxford United coach is one win from Olympic qualification. Oxford Mail. 3 October 2019. David . Pritchard. 20 December 2023.
  22. News: Ricki Herbert calls for NZ Football to get more games for under-20 tournament stars. Stuff Ltd. Tony . Smith. 5 June 2019 . 20 December 2023.
  23. News: Wynton Rufer hails NZ football's future after under-20 team's 'brilliant' effort. Stuff Ltd. 4 June 2019. Tony. Smith. 20 December 2023.
  24. News: Brisbane Roar lose to Sydney FC as club consider head coach options. Australian Associated Press . The Guardian. 30 December 2018 . 21 December 2023.
  25. News: The contenders to replacing outgoing Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan. Stuff Ltd . Phillip . Rollo . 16 April 2019 . 21 December 2023.
  26. News: Des Buckingham to coach OlyWhites until end of Tokyo Olympics campaign. Andrew . Voerman. Stuff Ltd. 27 June 2019 . 21 December 2023.
  27. News: New Zealand Men's footballers produce epic comeback to win Pacific Games Gold. Stuff Ltd. 20 July 2019. 21 December 2023.
  28. Web site: U-23s come from behind to claim gold. New Zealand Football . 20 July 2019. 21 December 2023.
  29. Web site: U-23s book ticket to Tokyo. New Zealand Football. 5 October 2019. 21 December 2023.
  30. Web site: New Zealand impress en route to Japan. https://web.archive.org/web/20191007075621/https://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/new-zealand-impress-en-route-to-japan. dead. 7 October 2019. 7 October 2019. FIFA. 21 December 2023.
  31. News: OlyWhites ease past Solomon Islands to book their place at the Tokyo Olympics. Andrew . Voerman. Stuff Ltd. 5 October 2019. 21 December 2023.
  32. News: Ex-Oxford United coach Des Buckingham: Olympic qualification is career highlight. David . Pritchard. Oxford Mail. 11 October 2019. 21 December 2023.
  33. News: The Englishman who lost his job after guiding New Zealand to the Olympics. The Guardian. Nick . Ames. 5 May 2020. 21 December 2023.
  34. News: Clayton Lewis glad his Olympic dream is still alive and hopes Des Buckingham can stay. Andrew . Voerman. Stuff Ltd. 8 April 2020. 21 December 2023.
  35. News: Football: New Zealand's Olympic hopefuls pleading coach Des Buckingham remains in charge. . 17 April 2020. 21 December 2023.
  36. Web site: NZ Football ignores players, dumps coach. Daniel . Gilhooly . ftbl.com.au. 1 May 2020. 21 December 2023.
  37. News: Departing under-23 New Zealand coach Des Buckingham – 'Something I will never forget'. Jason . Pine. New Zealand Herald. 6 May 2020. 21 December 2023.
  38. News: New Zealand Football Awards 2020: WINNERS. New Zealand Football. 1 October 2020. 21 December 2023.
  39. News: Des Buckingham interview: New Zealand U20 World Cup success and Olympic hopes to City Football Group. Sky Sports. Adam. Bate. 3 March 2021. 21 December 2023.
  40. Web site: Buckingham: The new dimension to Maclaren's game turning City striker into different beast. Matthew . Comito. a-league.com.au. 2 March 2021. 21 December 2023 . Football Federation Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20210303084337/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/western-sydney-wanderers-v-melbourne-city-reaction-highlights-video-interview . 3 March 2021.
  41. Web site: Club Update: Patrick Kisnorbo. Melbourne City F.C.. 3 May 2021. 21 December 2023.
  42. Web site: Melbourne City FC claim A-League 2020/21 Premiership . a-league.com.au. 22 May 2021. 21 December 2023 . Football Federation Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20210522155320/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/melbourne-city-fc-claim-a-league-202021-premiership . 22 May 2021.
  43. Web site: Champions at last: City dominate ten-man Sky Blues in 3-1 Grand Final triumph . Matthew . Comito. a-league.com.au . Football Federation Australia . 27 June 2021. 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210627115349/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/melbourne-city-v-sydney-fc-202021-grand-final-match-report-highlights-key-moments-score . 27 June 2021.
  44. Web site: Club Statement: Head Coach. 8 January 2021 . Mumbai City FC. 8 October 2021.
  45. Web site: Atrayo . Bhattacharya . Profile: Who is Mumbai City's new coach Des Buckingham?. Khel Now . 9 October 2021 . en. 18 December 2021. 18 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211218160108/https://khelnow.com/football/isl-2021-22-mumbai-city-fc-head-coach-des-buckingham-profile. live.
  46. Web site: Match Report: Air Force Club 1-2 Mumbai City. 11 April 2022 . Mumbai City F.C.. 3 May 2024.
  47. Web site: Mumbai City FC display strong character to grind out historic AFC Champions League win. 12 April 2022 . Firstpost. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20220413073215/https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/mumbai-city-fc-display-strong-character-to-grind-out-historic-afc-champions-league-win-10549001.html. 13 April 2022. live. 3 May 2024.
  48. Web site: Fabulous Phurba, magnificent Mauricio, brave football: Takeaways from Mumbai City FC's AFC Champions League campaign . 30 April 2022 . Indian Super League . 3 May 2024.
  49. Web site: AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC hold Al Jazira in closely-fought encounter. 8 April 2022 . Indian Super League. 3 May 2024.
  50. Web site: AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC end historic campaign with a win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. 27 April 2022. Indian Super League. 3 May 2024.
  51. Web site: ACL 2022: Valiant Mumbai City set new benchmark in Indian Football. Soham . Mukherjee . 28 April 2022 . 3 May 2024.
  52. Web site: Former footballer lauds Mumbai City FC's performance in the AFC Champions League. Mudeet . Arora . 30 April 2022 . 90 Min. Minute Media. 3 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20220430073753/https://www.90min.com/posts/former-footballer-lauds-mumbai-city-fc-performance-in-the-afc-champions-league . 30 April 2022.
  53. Web site: Brave and adaptable: Des Buckingham moulds history makers Mumbai City in his image . Sunaadh . Sagar . 27 April 2022 . ESPN India . 3 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427162602/https://www.espn.in/football/afc-champions-league/story/4652217/brave-and-adaptable-des-buckingham-moulds-history-makers-mumbai-city-in-his-image . 27 April 2022.
  54. Web site: Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC: Match Preview. 10 September 2022 . Mumbai City F.C.. 3 May 2024.
  55. Web site: Durand Cup 2022: Mumbai City FC reach final after beating Mohammedan SC in a gripping encounter. 14 September 2022 . Indian Super League . 3 May 2024.
  56. Web site: Mumbai City FC Go Down Fighting Against Bengaluru FC In The Durand Cup Final . Mumbai City F.C. . 18 September 2022 . 3 May 2024.
  57. Web site: Hall of Famers: Des Buckingham's Mumbai City FC and their terrific list of records. 20 February 2023 . Indian Super League . 3 May 2024.
  58. Web site: Mumbai City seal AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Spot. AIFF Media Team . 4 April 2023 . All India Football Federation . 3 May 2024.
  59. Web site: Mumbai City Beat Jamshedpur FC 3-1; Qualify For AFC Champions League. 4 April 2023 . Mumbai City F.C. . 3 May 2024.
  60. News: Des Buckingham's journey to Mumbai City success – via Oxford United and Oceania. BBC Sport . Luke . de Costa . Lewis . Coombes . 25 May 2023 . 3 May 2024.
  61. Web site: Des Buckingham Confirmed as New Oxford United Head Coach. Oxford United F.C. . 16 November 2023. 3 May 2024.
  62. Web site: Buckingham follows in famous footsteps. 17 April 2019. New Zealand Football. 3 May 2024.
  63. News: NZ U19 Matches. 3 May 2024. Flashscore.com. 6 April 2020.
  64. News: NZ U20 Matches. 6 April 2020. ESPN.com. 6 April 2020.
  65. News: NZF U23 results. 6 April 2020. Flashscore.com. 6 April 2020.
  66. Web site: Des Buckingham. Ultimate A-League. 13 April 2022.
  67. Web site: Mumbai City FC » Fixtures & Results 2021/2022 . worldfootball.net. 14 March 2021 . 22 November 2021.
  68. Web site: Mumbai City FC » Fixtures & Results 2022/2023 . worldfootball.net . 14 March 2021 . 9 October 2022 .
  69. Web site: Mumbai City results . flashscore.in.
  70. Web site: Mumbai City FC » Fixtures & Results 2023/2024 . worldfootball.net . 14 March 2021 . 18 September 2023.
  71. Web site: Durand Cup 2022 review: The perfect curtain-raiser to the Indian football season . ESPN India. Aaditya. Narayan. 19 September 2022. 20 September 2022. Kolkata. https://web.archive.org/web/20220920142913/https://www.espn.in/football/india-ind/story/4750058/durand-cup-2022-review-curtain-raiser-indian-football-season?platform=amp. 20 September 2022.
  72. News: Bolton Wanderers 0–2 Oxford United: Line-ups . BBC Sport . 18 May 2024 . 18 May 2024.
  73. Web site: FPAI Awards 2023: Bengaluru FC's Sivasakthi Narayanan wins Young Player of year, Mumbai City FC SWOOP numerous awards – Check Out . Triyasha . Chatterjee . 13 May 2023. 13 May 2023. insidesport.in. Inside Sport India . Gangtok. 13 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230513162608/https://www.insidesport.in/fpai-awards-2023-bengaluru-fcs-sivasakthi-narayanan-wins-young-player-of-year-mumbai-city-fc-swoop-numerous-awards-check-out/.

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