Sunderland Under-21s manager Graeme Murty is understood to be one of the candidates in the running to become the new Oxford United manager.

First reported by the Northern Echo, Murty is believed to feature on United's shortlist, having previously expressed a desire to return to frontline management despite his current role being with Sunderland’s Under-21s.

United sacked long-serving boss Karl Robinson over the weekend after he oversaw a seventh defeat in the space of eight matches and saw the Us tumble to 17th place in the League One table.

READ MORE: Former Oxford United coach 'top contender' for job alongside Michael Appleton

Craig Short, Leon Blackmore-Such and Wayne Brown have been placed in caretaker charge at the Kassam Stadium, and are expected to preside over Saturday’s game at Lincoln City.

It is understood that the Oxford board are keen to make a permanent appointment as quickly as possible and has drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates.

The former Reading captain and defender was appointed as the Black Cats’ head of professional development phase, effectively giving him control of the Under-21s, last October.

He has previously worked as part of the youth set-up at both Southampton and Norwich City, and has had two spells as the first-team boss of Scottish Premier League side Rangers.

United have not yet made a formal approach to Sunderland to seek permission to hold formal talks, but the Black Cats would be unlikely to stand in Murty’s way if he was offered a managerial position and expressed an interest in taking it.

Former Oxford United coach Des Buckingham is reportedly a "top contender" for the Oxford United managerial job, according to Football Insider.

Buckingham, from Cowley, recently lifted his first piece of silverware with Mumbai City and is now preparing his side for the ISL play-offs, with the first semi-final leg taking place on March 7.

The 38-year-old was appointed head coach of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) team in October 2021.

ALSO READ: Former Oxford United boss bookmakers early favourite to be named new manager

Buckingham started coaching at United aged 18, overseeing the rise of Sam Long and Callum O’Dowda, before joining Chris Wilder’s first team staff in 2013/14.

His globetrotting journey has then seen him take in stints at Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City – the latter part of City Football Group, which operates clubs including Manchester City, New York City and La Liga side Girona.

Michael Appleton, who managed United from 2014 to 2017, is currently the bookmaker's favourite to take charge at the Kassam Stadium.

Appleton guided the club to promotion from League Two in his second season.

He also oversaw an Emirates FA Cup win over then Premier League side Swansea City, and two Johnstone’s Paint Trophy finals.

Appleton left the U’s in June 2017 to become assistant manager of Leicester City.

He left his position at Leicester in June 2018 after a restructuring of the coaching staff at Leicester.

After coaching jobs at West Bromwich Albion he returned to management as Lincoln City boss before leaving the club after a three-year spell.

Most recently, he was the manager at Blackpool taking over in June last year.

He left the club in January with the Seasiders 23rd in Sky Bet Championship and winless in 10 league matches.

Yesterday (February 27), Alan Nixon, football writer for the Sun, reported he’s heard United are interested in Appleton whilst George Elek said he was led to believe Appleton was "very interested in the job" on BBC Radio Oxford.