Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler favourite to be named new Oxford United manager

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to become the new Oxford United manager.

Karl Robinson, who was a youth team coach at the Reds, was sacked from his position at the Kassam Stadium on Monday after a run of eight games without a win. He departs the League One side after five years in charge as they sit five points clear of the relegation zone.

The final match of Robinson's Oxford tenure came after they were beaten 3-0 at home by Bristol Rovers on Saturday. Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown have been put in temporary charge but the favourite is Fowler via Betting Odds.

The ex-England international scored 183 goals in 369 games for Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup. During his professional playing career, Fowler also had stints with Manchester City and Leeds United. In the dugout, he has had stints at Muangthong United, Brisbane Roar and East Bengal, but has been out of a hotseat since 2021.

Former Blackpool manager Michael Appleton was the early favourite to take over from Robinson. But he has since drifted - with Fowler pushing to the front.

The 47-year-old had been coaching during Robinson's time with Oxford. His son, Jacob, is a scholar at the U's.

"It’s not a consistent thing, he’ll come in every now and then if he’s free - he’s got a very busy lifestyle, as you’d imagine," said Robinson about Fowler in August via Oxford Mail.

"Sometimes it’s not so much what he does, but what he says. Matty [Taylor] came right over to him at the end of the game and the two were just laughing and putting their arms around each other. That’s priceless."

"Having him in an Oxford United kit is incredible for the brand," Robinson added. "It’s just something he’s doing short term, popping in and giving a bit of advice."