Two former Swansea City managers in the frame for Oxford United job as Russell Martin made odds‑on favourite

Betano have Martin as the odds‑on favourite to land the job, with Sheehan priced at 4/1.

Russell Martin: From Swansea rebuild to Oxford favourite

Martin, who managed Swansea City between 2021 and 2023, is now tipped to make a rapid return to management after a turbulent spell north of the border.

During his two seasons at the Swansea.com Stadium, Martin oversaw a full‑scale stylistic rebuild, implementing his trademark possession‑heavy approach. His tenure produced eye‑catching football at times — including a late surge in the 2022/23 season — but also inconsistency and defensive frailty that frustrated supporters.

He left SA1 in the summer of 2023 to join Southampton, then in the Premier League, before taking charge at Rangers. That move lasted just four months, ending after what Scottish media described as a disastrous start to the season.

Now, with Oxford United sitting in the relegation zone and searching for a reset, Martin has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at the Kassam Stadium.

Alan Sheehan: Former Swans boss also in contention

Also in the running is Alan Sheehan, who had a short and bruising spell in charge of Swansea earlier this season.

Sheehan was appointed in February 2025 and guided the club to safety last season, but his second campaign unravelled quickly. A 4–1 defeat to Ipswich Town left Swansea 21st in the Championship, and he was sacked three days later.

Despite that, Sheehan remains highly regarded in coaching circles and has already held talks with Oxford United, according to reports in Oxfordshire. The club are said to be keen to speak to him formally as they weigh up their options.

Betano odds – next Oxford United manager

Russell Martin
4/6

Will Still
6/4

Alan Sheehan
4/1

Matt Bloomfield
6/1

Oxford’s search intensifies

Oxford United dismissed Gary Rowett just before Christmas after a run of one win in ten matches left them deep in relegation trouble. Caretaker boss Craig Short has overseen a win over Southampton and a defeat to Swansea during the interim periodOxford Mail.

With the club eager to stabilise quickly, both former Swansea managers are now serious contenders — but Martin’s odds suggest he is the man most likely to get the call.

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Russell Martin emerges as bookies’ favourite for Swansea City return after Hellberg linked with Middlesbrough

Martin, who managed the Swans between 2021 and 2023, is now priced at evens to return to the Swansea.com Stadium dugout, according to odds from TalkSPORT Bet.

The former Rangers boss endured a difficult spell in Glasgow earlier this season, lasting just 123 days before being dismissed — the shortest tenure of any Gers manager in history. Despite that, bookmakers now see him as the leading candidate to succeed Alan Sheehan, who was sacked last week.

Next Swansea City permanent manager odds

• Russell Martin – evens
• Vitor Matos – 3/1
• Gary O’Neil – 3/1
• Brendan Rodgers – 5/1
• Michael Carrick – 8/1
• Liam Manning – 12/1

Hellberg pursuit falters

Swansea had reportedly held talks with Hammarby IF head coach Kim Hellberg in London last week, but Sky Sports report that Middlesbrough are now actively pursuing the 37‑year‑old.

Hellberg had been Swansea’s number one target, but with Boro and Norwich also in the frame, the Swans may now be forced to look elsewhere.

Other contenders

Vitor Matos is a Portuguese coach who worked under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool as Elite Development Coach, helping bridge the gap between academy prospects and the senior squad. He left Anfield in 2024 and has since taken charge of Marítimo in Portugal’s Liga 2, marking his first senior managerial role.

Gary O’Neil, meanwhile, is best known for keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season before moving to Wolves, where he guided them to a 14th‑place finish and an FA Cup quarter‑final in his first campaign. The former Portsmouth midfielder has since left Molineux and is currently linked with Championship clubs including Southampton.

Related articles

• Swansea City step up pursuit of Swedish coach Kim Hellberg
• Could Brendan Rodgers be about to make a sensational Swansea City return?
• Swansea City sack head coach Alan Sheehan

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