Ex-Staff Des Buckingham

[Northstandboy]

Des Buckingham Joined: September 2004 - July 2014 (U18 Manager/Assistant Coach) 16th November 2023 - 15th December 2024 (Head Coach) ​

 

[unification]

Des has led Al-Kholood to their first-ever King's Cup Final in their history after a 2-2 draw against Al Ittihad that led to a 5-4 win on penalties. They'll play Al Hilal in the final.

League form hasn't been great. Of the 26 matches, they've won eight, drawn one and lost 17 to leave them 14th of 18 although six points clear of the relegation spots with eight matches to play.

 

[90syeIlow]

Des has led Al-Kholood to their first-ever King's Cup Final in their history after a 2-2 draw against Al Ittihad that led to a 5-4 win on penalties. They'll play Al Hilal in the final.

League form hasn't been great. Of the 26 matches, they've won eight, drawn one and lost 17 to leave them 14th of 18 although six points clear of the relegation spots with eight matches to play.

I still find it weird that a manager with his credentials is managing in Saudi at his age.

Hopefully he returns to the UK again and builds a proper career.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

Des has led Al-Kholood to their first-ever King's Cup Final in their history after a 2-2 draw against Al Ittihad that led to a 5-4 win on penalties. They'll play Al Hilal in the final.

League form hasn't been great. Of the 26 matches, they've won eight, drawn one and lost 17 to leave them 14th of 18 although six points clear of the relegation spots with eight matches to play.

Good lad. They had a good start if I remember correctly. They're a bit of a mid table side, from what little googling I did when he joined. Not sure why he didn't fancy something fun in Germany or Portugal or Spain.

 

[Boris]

Good lad. They had a good start if I remember correctly. They're a bit of a mid table side, from what little googling I did when he joined. Not sure why he didn't fancy something fun in Germany or Portugal or Spain.

 

[JOHN BOY]

I still find it weird that a manager with his credentials is managing in Saudi at his age.

Hopefully he returns to the UK again and builds a proper career.

I'd have thought that was obvious.

 

[90syeIlow]

I'd have thought that was obvious.

Is there any need to go for the money now when he could build a career in England and land a potentially big job in the future?

 

[Northernyellow]

Is there any need to go for the money now when he could build a career in England and land a potentially big job in the future?

He should get a decent job when he comes back- he does have a L1 promotion on his CV- Manning seems to be making a decent career out of achieving nothing. And the Saudi money will (probably) set him up for life.

 

[holdsteady]

Is there any need to go for the money now when he could build a career in England and land a potentially big job in the future?

Turning down real money now for maybe money in the future in a job as precarious as the one that saw him sacked from a club he got promoted 6 months later is hardly a fool proof plan.

 

[JOHN BOY]

Is there any need to go for the money now when he could build a career in England and land a potentially big job in the future?

He was given the opportunity so he took it.Applied for a few previously.

 

[unification]

He should get a decent job when he comes back- he does have a L1 promotion on his CV- Manning seems to be making a decent career out of achieving nothing. And the Saudi money will (probably) set him up for life.

Now you mention it, I can so see Liam Manning managing in Saudi Arabia.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

I wonder what the salary gap actually is. 30%? 100%?

 

[Eric Blair]

Des The Redeemer

 

[werthersoriginal]

I still find it weird that a manager with his credentials is managing in Saudi at his age.

Hopefully he returns to the UK again and builds a proper career.

Maybe he takes the view that winning a cup abroad is as valid (and more lucrative) than taking Oldham or whoever on a winning run. He’s managed all over the world after all.

 

[90syeIlow]

Maybe he takes the view that winning a cup abroad is as valid (and more lucrative) than taking Oldham or whoever on a winning run. He’s managed all over the world after all.

All over the world?

What about France, Germany, Spain etc?

 

[QR]

Maybe he takes the view that winning a cup abroad is as valid (and more lucrative) than taking Oldham or whoever on a winning run. He’s managed all over the world after all.

Maybe in his first few months with us he remembered how cold, dark and wet English winters are and thought 'nah'.

 

[Marked Ox]

All over the world?

What about France, Germany, Spain etc?

Give him a chance, he hasn't been a manager for that long.

 

[holdsteady]

It must be easier managing a team miles from home in certain ways, the pressure of managing your home town club, knowing your family, not just immediate but cousins etc, are going to be hearing not only the good but also the bad must be quite a weight to carry, can see the attraction in being somewhere that just won’t happen.

 

[greatunclekip]

I’m going to put the cat amongst the pigeons. He has less than a 40 percent win rate with us and his new Saudi team, losing more than he wins.

I love Des. He gave me genuinely one of the best days of my life and he got his tactics utterly spot on in those few games.

But I think he’s going to end up minted despite being a limited manager..

 

[90syeIlow]

I’m going to put the cat amongst the pigeons. He has less than a 40 percent win rate with us and his new Saudi team, losing more than he wins.

I love Des. He gave me genuinely one of the best days of my life and he got his tactics utterly spot on in those few games.

But I think he’s going to end up minted despite being a limited manager..

You make some valid points, but he's not limited.

He got his tactics spot on in the early Championship games last season after the playoffs - he definitely needs to coach another team in England.

 

[carefreeoufc]

You make some valid points, but he's not limited.

He got his tactics spot on in the early Championship games last season after the playoffs - he definitely needs to coach another team in England.

Did he get the tactics right. Or were we misjudged?

Personally,I think the latter. Mainly because, if you’re that good a tactician, you don’t go on the run Des did.

That said, Wembley was beautiful!

 

[MJB]

I’m going to put the cat amongst the pigeons. He has less than a 40 percent win rate with us and his new Saudi team, losing more than he wins.

I love Des. He gave me genuinely one of the best days of my life and he got his tactics utterly spot on in those few games.

But I think he’s going to end up minted despite being a limited manager..

He may have some limitations, but I think he values life outside of football too. Seeing the world, being a part of different cultures, getting out of your comfort zone.

As you say, he’ll forever be remembered fondly here as a legendary figure who’ll forever bring a smile to your face when you remember him.

When we’re in the new stadium and further water has gone under the bridge, it would be very emotional to welcome Des back at a game or an anniversary celebration for his promotion.

He definitely deserves that.

 

[carefreeoufc]

He may have some limitations, but I think he values life outside of football too. Seeing the world, being a part of different cultures, getting out of your comfort zone.

As you say, he’ll forever be remembered fondly here as a legendary figure who’ll forever bring a smile to your face when you remember him.

When we’re in the new stadium and further water has gone under the bridge, it would be very emotional to welcome Des back at a game or an anniversary celebration for his promotion.

He definitely deserves that.

Agreed! Love to see him and Chris Wilder walking onto the pitch. Their importance should never be questioned, nor forgotten.

 

[greatunclekip]

Did he get the tactics right. Or were we misjudged?

Personally,I think the latter. Mainly because, if you’re that good a tactician, you don’t go on the run Des did.

That said, Wembley was beautiful!

I think he got his tactics absolutely spot on. It was perfect. From defence to attack.

 

[90syeIlow]

Did he get the tactics right. Or were we misjudged?

Personally,I think the latter. Mainly because, if you’re that good a tactician, you don’t go on the run Des did.

That said, Wembley was beautiful!

The poor run was largely due to inexperience and injuries to key players that formed his playing style.

He didn't have the ability to adapt things from his plan A, but when he executed his plan A it did work well a decent majority of the time.

 

[tonyw]

He may have some limitations, but I think he values life outside of football too. Seeing the world, being a part of different cultures, getting out of your comfort zone.

So I can 100% understand wanting to live in Wellington. Melbourne too. Mumbai would be great adventure.......

.....but there's almost nowhere in the world that would tempt me less to move to than Ar Rass. A town smaller than Oxford in the middle of the desert, miles away from anything, in a country where the majority of the population is denied basic human rights.

I looked up 'Things to do in Ar Rass' on TripAdvisor, and entry #2 of 2 is "A store specializing in selling carpets". There are five restaurants listed in the city, of which one is a Pizza Hut and one is a Domino's.

I would genuinely rather be forced to live the rest of my life in Swindon than spend one year in Ar Rass (at least then I could be in Oxford in an hour!)

There's only one reason you go live in central Saudi Arabia, and that's a very large suitcase of cash.

 

[Paul Cannell]

He may have some limitations, but I think he values life outside of football too. Seeing the world, being a part of different cultures, getting out of your comfort zone.

He's gone to a one-camel town in Hell.

 

[QR]

I’m going to put the cat amongst the pigeons. He has less than a 40 percent win rate with us and his new Saudi team, losing more than he wins.

I love Des. He gave me genuinely one of the best days of my life and he got his tactics utterly spot on in those few games.

But I think he’s going to end up minted despite being a limited manager.

Me-ow!

 

[Upthecowboys]

He’s not gone there for a 50% salary increase. Heard a rumour he is on at least triple his Ox pay from a ‘take home’ perspective.

Also its not like he didn’t try to get a role over here.

Good luck to him, hope he wins the Cup final.

 

[RgYellows]

So I can 100% understand wanting to live in Wellington. Melbourne too. Mumbai would be great adventure.......

.....but there's almost nowhere in the world that would tempt me less to move to than Ar Rass. A town smaller than Oxford in the middle of the desert, miles away from anything, in a country where the majority of the population is denied basic human rights.

I looked up 'Things to do in Ar Rass' on TripAdvisor, and entry #2 of 2 is "A store specializing in selling carpets". There are five restaurants listed in the city, of which one is a Pizza Hut and one is a Domino's.

I would genuinely rather be forced to live the rest of my life in Swindon than spend one year in Ar Rass (at least then I could be in Oxford in an hour!)

There's only one reason you go live in central Saudi Arabia, and that's a very large suitcase of cash.

But if you offered me (say) £1m a year to work in Swindon, I’d live in Oxford.

Although for the avoidance of doubt, no one is going to appreciate your willingness to TripAdvisor Ar Rass to make a point more than I do. I have no desire to visit Saudi Arabia, but if I do then I’m definitely going to be looking at some quality carpets with a Dominos in hand.

As for Des: I don’t care how good he is. The feeling at Wembley will never be replicated, and that’s good enough for me. Helped me fall back in love with football.

 

[Northernyellow]

He may have some limitations, but I think he values life outside of football too. Seeing the world, being a part of different cultures, getting out of your comfort zone.

As you say, he’ll forever be remembered fondly here as a legendary figure who’ll forever bring a smile to your face when you remember him.

When we’re in the new stadium and further water has gone under the bridge, it would be very emotional to welcome Des back at a game or an anniversary celebration for his promotion.

He definitely deserves that.

I spent the longest six months of my life working in Saudi Arabia. Everything you have ever heard about place is true- and more. It's an awful country. There is only one reason Des is doing this -£££. That's not criticism btw- he'll be able to pick and choose his jobs after this, so good luck to him.