Des Buckingham

English association football manager

Des BuckinghamPersonal information

Full name|  Desmond Buckingham
Date of birth|  (1985-02-07) 7 February 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth|  Oxford, England
Position(s)|  Goalkeeper
Team information

Current team

|  Mumbai City
Youth career
Years|  Team
2000–2002|  Reading
2002–2004|  Oxford United
Managerial career
2015–2017|  Wellington Phoenix (assistant)
2017|  Wellington Phoenix
2017–2018|  Stoke City U21 (assistant)
2018–2019|  New Zealand U23 (assistant)
2018–2019|  New Zealand (assistant)
2019|  New Zealand (caretaker)
2018–2020|  New Zealand U20
2019–2020|  New Zealand U23
2020–2021|  Melbourne City (assistant)
2021–|  Mumbai City

Desmond Buckingham (born 7 February 1985) is an English professional football manager who is the current head coach of Indian Super League club Mumbai City.[1]

Buckingham became the youngest head coach in the history of the A-League during the 2016–17 A-League season.[2]

## Playing career[edit]

Born in Oxford, England, Buckingham had spells in the youth and reserve teams of English sides Reading and Oxford United.[3][4] A professional career did not materialise, and Buckingham subsequently joined Oxford & Cherwell Valley College in a full-time coaching and teaching role over a four-year period.[5][6]

## Coaching career[edit]

### Oxford United[edit]

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.[7]

In his time at the club, Buckingham was able to support the transition of 24 players from the youth ranks into their first professional contracts.[8]

### Wellington Phoenix[edit]

Buckingham joined the Wellington Phoenix during the 2014–15 A-League season under head coach Ernie Merrick. On 1 January 2017, following the resignation of Merrick, he was appointed as manager until the end of the season.[9] 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.[10][11]

### Stoke City[edit]

In July, 2017 Buckingham was granted permission to leave Wellington Phoenix and take up a role at then-Premier League club Stoke City as an assistant coach with their under-23 team.[12][13]

### New Zealand Football[edit]

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.[14][15]

In August, 2018 Buckingham led the team to the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship, qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[16][17] 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.[18][19][20] The team also posted New Zealand's biggest ever win at a FIFA tournament with a 5–0 win over Honduras,[21] 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.[22][23] 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.[24][25][26][27][28][29]

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.[30][31][32] 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.[33][34]

In September 2019, in the lead up to the OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament the New Zealand U-23 side played out two draws against their Australian counterparts.[35]

On 5 October 2019, Buckingham led New Zealand to its third Olympic Games, qualifying for Tokyo 2020 by winning the OFC U-23 Championship.[36][37] 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.[38] The New Zealand U23 side remained unbeaten during his tenure, winning nine and drawing three of 12 games.[39]

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 retain his services as coach.[40][41][42] 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.[43][44]

Buckingham was named Men's Coach of the year at New Zealand Football Awards 2020.[45]

### Melbourne City[edit]

In September 2020, Buckingham joined A-League club Melbourne City as Assistant Coach after being identified by the City Football Group.[46] He has managed the team on multiple occasions in the absence of Patrick Kisnorbo, when he has been injured[47] or ill.[48]

In his first season, Melbourne City claimed their maiden A-League trophy in the teams eleven-year history, winning the league to secure the A-League Premiers Plate.[49] The team completed the double a month later, winning their first A-League Grand Final.[50]

### Mumbai City[edit]

### 2021–22 season[edit]

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.[51][52] 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.

Ahead of the 2022 AFC Champions League kick-off, the club travelled to Abu Dhabi for a training camp and defeated Emirati giants Al Ain 2–1 in a friendly match.[53]

On 11 April 2022, Buckingham led City to the Clubs 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.[54][55]

Buckingham's side became the most successful Indian Club to compete in the AFC Champions League.,[56] finishing second in Group B, with results against Al-Jazira[57] and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya[58] adding to their second-round win. Mumbai City and Buckingham won praise for their fearless approach and positive playing style at the tournament.[59][60][61]

### 2022–23 season[edit]

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.[62] 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.[63] Mumbai City finished as runners-up in the tournament after a 2–1 loss to Bengaluru in the final on 18 September 2022.[64]

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. [65]

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.[66][67]

In May 2023, Buckingham was voted Coach of the Year by the Indian Players Football Association. [68]

## Personal life[edit]

Buckingham is a qualified pilot, and holds a Master's degree in advanced performance football coaching through the University of South Wales.

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 world-class coaches.[69]

## Managerial statistics[edit]

As of match played 6 November 2023
Managerial record by team and tenure  Team  | From  | To  | Record  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win %
Wellington Phoenix (interim) | 5 December 2016 | 31 December 2016  | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3  | 025.00 | [70]
Wellington Phoenix | 1 January 2017 | 7 June 2017  | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 28 | 28 | +0  | 033.33 | [70]
New Zealand U20 | 23 March 2018 | 31 December 2019  | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 35 | 7 | +28  | 072.73 | [71][72]
New Zealand U23 | 22 June 2019 | 30 April 2020  | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 57 | 8 | +49  | 075.00 | [73]
Melbourne City (caretaker)  | 2 March 2021  | 10 May 2021  | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5  | 100.00 | [70]
Mumbai City | 8 October 2021 | Present | 72 | 39 | 12 | 21 | 144 | 104 | +40  | 054.17 | [74][75][76][77]
Total  | 117 | 65 | 22 | 30 | 279 | 154 | +125  | 055.56 |

## Honours[edit]

New Zealand U20

* OFC U-20 Championship: 2018

New Zealand U23

* Pacific Games: 2019
* OFC U-23 Championship: 2019

Melbourne City

* A-League Premiership: 2020–21
* A-League Championship: 2021

Mumbai City

* Indian Super League Winners' Shield: 2022–23
* Durand Cup runner-up: 2022[78]

Individual

* New Zealand Football Men's Coach of the Year: 2020
* FPAI Coach of the Year: 2023[79]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Club Statement: Head Coach". mumbaicityfc.com. Mumbai City FC. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
2. ^ "Former United Coach becomes youngest A-League boss". Oxford Mail. 13 January 2017.
3. ^ "Meet the mystery man of the Wellington Phoenix interim co-coaching duo". Stuff. 15 December 2016.
4. ^ "Former Oxford United Coach on his rise to take charge of Wellington Phoenix". Oxford Mail. 10 February 2017.
5. ^ "Meet the mystery man of the Wellington Phoenix interim cocoaching staff". 15 December 2016.
6. ^ "Who is Phoenix Coach Des Buckingham". 5 January 2017.
7. ^ "Former Oxford United Coach Des Buckingham rise take charge Wellington Phoenix". Oxford Mail. 10 February 2017.
8. ^ "From Oxford To The Olympics – The British Manager Taking New Zealand To Tokyo". The Sportsman. 14 November 2019.
9. ^ "Who Phoenix Coach Des Buckingham". A-League. 5 January 2017.
10. ^ "Former Oxford United Coach Des Buckingham becomes youngest A League boss Wellington Phoenix". Oxford Mail. 13 January 2017.
11. ^ "Phoenix sign new coach". New Zealand Herald. 19 May 2017.
12. ^ "Wellington Phoenix coach departs for Premier League club". wellingtonphoenix.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
13. ^ "The A-League's youngest manager joins Stoke City". Oceaniafc.com. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
14. ^ "NZ U-17 and U-20 Head Coaches confirmed". nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
15. ^ "Des Buckingham returning to NZ to coach U20s as Jose Figueira gets U17s nod". Stuff. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
16. ^ "New Zealand win seventh title | Oceania Football Confederation". Oceania Football Confederation. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
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18. ^ "Oceania gear up to compete for sole Tokyo 2020 ticket". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
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21. ^ "New Zealand make history in Poland 2019 bow". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
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24. ^ "How a football team of immigrants brings us closer together". Stuff. 2 June 2019.
25. ^ "NZ under 20s fire". TVNZ. 29 May 2019.
26. ^ "Progress made as FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign ends with heartbreak, not history". Stuff. 3 June 2019.
27. ^ "Ex Oxford United Coach one win Olympic qualification". Oxford Mail. 3 October 2019.
28. ^ "Ricki Herbert calls for NZ Football to get more games for under-20 tournament stars". Stuff. 5 June 2019.
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30. ^ "Brisbane Roar lose to Sydney FC as club consider head coach options". The Guardian. 30 December 2018.
31. ^ "The contenders to replacing outgoing Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan". Stuff. 16 April 2019.
32. ^ "Des Buckingham to coach OlyWhites until end of Tokyo Olympics campaign". Stuff. 27 June 2019.
33. ^ "New Zealand Men's footballers produce epic comeback to win Pacific Games Gold". Stuff. 20 July 2019.
34. ^ "U-23s come from behind to claim gold". nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
35. ^ "OlyWhites impressive against Olyroos as qualifiers for Tokyo Olympics draw closer". Stuff. 10 September 2019.
36. ^ "U-23s book ticket to Tokyo". nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
37. ^ "New Zealand impress en route to Japan". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
38. ^ "OlyWhites ease past Solomon Islands to book their place at the Tokyo Olympics". Stuff. 5 October 2019.
39. ^ "Ex-Oxford United coach Des Buckingham: Olympic qualification is career highlight". Stuff. 11 October 2019.
40. ^ "The Englishman who lost his job after guiding New Zealand to the Olympics". theguardian.com. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
41. ^ "Clayton Lewis glad his Olympic dream is still alive and hopes Des Buckingham can stay". stuff.co.nz. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
42. ^ "Football: New Zealand's Olympic hopefuls pleading coach Des Buckingham remains in charge". newshub.co.nz. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
43. ^ "NZ Football ignores players, dumps coach". ftbl.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
44. ^ "Departing under-23 New Zealand coach Des Buckingham – 'Something I will never forget'". nzherald.co.nz. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
45. ^ "New Zealand Football Awards 2020: WINNERS". New Zealand Football. 1 October 2020.
46. ^ "Olympic hopes to City Football Group". Sky Sports. 3 March 2021.
47. ^ "Buckingham: The new dimension to Maclaren's game turning City striker into different beast". a-league.com.au. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
48. ^ "Club Update: Patrick Kisnorbo". melbournecityfc.com.au. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
49. ^ "Melbourne City FC claim A-League 2020/21 Premiership". a-league.com.au. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
50. ^ "Champions at last: City dominate ten-man Sky Blues in 3-1 Grand Final triumph". a-league.com.au. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
51. ^ "Club Statement: Head Coach". Mumbai City FC. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
52. ^ Bhattacharya, Atrayo (9 October 2021). "Profile: Who is Mumbai City's new coach Des Buckingham?". www.khelnow.com. Khel Now. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
53. ^ FPJ Web Desk, 03:30 PM IST (27 March 2022). "Mumbai City FC defeat leaders of UAE Pro League Al Ain in friendly ahead of AFC Champions League". www.freepressjournal.in. The Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
54. ^ "Match Report: Air Force Club 1-2 Mumbai City". Retrieved 11 April 2022.
55. ^ "Mumbai City FC display strong character to grind out historic AFC Champions League win". www.firstpost.com. Firstpost. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
56. ^ "Fabulous Phurba, magnificent Mauricio, brave football: Takeaways from Mumbai City FC's AFC Champions League campaign". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
57. ^ "AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC hold Al Jazira in closely-fought encounter". Retrieved 18 April 2022.
58. ^ "AFC Champions League: Mumbai City FC end historic campaign with a win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya". Retrieved 27 April 2022.
59. ^ "ACL 2022: Valiant Mumbai City set new benchmark in Indian Football". Retrieved 28 April 2022.
60. ^ "Former footballer lauds Mumbai City FC's performance in the AFC Champions League". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
61. ^ "Brave and adaptable: Des Buckingham moulds history makers Mumbai City in his image". Retrieved 27 April 2022.
62. ^ "Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC: Match Preview". Retrieved 10 September 2022.
63. ^ "Durand Cup 2022: Mumbai City FC reach final after beating Mohammedan SC in a gripping encounter". Retrieved 14 September 2022.
64. ^ "Mumbai City FC Go Down Fighting Against Bengaluru FC In The Durand Cup Final". Retrieved 18 September 2022.
65. ^ "Hall of Famers: Des Buckingham's Mumbai City FC and their terrific list of records". Retrieved 20 February 2023.
66. ^ "Mumbai City seal AFC Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Spot". Retrieved 4 April 2023.
67. ^ "Mumbai City Beat Jamshedpur FC 3-1; Qualify For AFC Champions League". Retrieved 4 April 2023.
68. ^ "Des Buckingham's journey to Mumbai City success - via Oxford United and Oceania". Retrieved 25 May 2023.
69. ^ "Buckingham follows in famous footsteps". nzfootball.co.nz. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
70. ^ a b c "Des Buckingham". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
71. ^ "NZ U19 Matches". Flashscore.com. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
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78. ^ Narayan, Aaditya (19 September 2022). "Durand Cup 2022 review: The perfect curtain-raiser to the Indian football season". www.espn.in. Kolkata: ESPN. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
79. ^ Chatterjee, Triyasha (13 May 2023). "FPAI Awards 2023: Bengaluru FC's Sivasakthi Narayanan wins Young Player of year, Mumbai City FC SWOOP numerous awards – Check Out". insidesport.in. Gangtok: Inside Sport India. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.

## External links[edit]

* Des Buckingham profile on Soccerway's website

* v
* t
* e

Current Indian Super League managers

* Ferrando (ATK Mohun Bagan)
* Grayson (Bengaluru)
* Brdarić (Chennaiyin)
* Constantine (East Bengal)
* Peña (Goa)
* Márquez (Hyderabad)
* Boothroyd (Jamshedpur)
* Vukomanović (Kerala Blasters)
* Buckingham (Mumbai City)
* Annese (NorthEast United)
* Gombau (Odisha)

* v
* t
* e

Wellington Phoenix FC – Head coaches

* Herbert (2007–13)
* Greenacre (a.i.) (2013)
* Merrick (2013–16)
* Buckingham & Greenacre (a.i.) (2016–17)
* Kalezić (2017–18)
* Greenacre (a.i.) (2018)
* Rudan (2018–19)
* Talay (2019–23)
* Italiano (2023–)

* v
* t
* e

Mumbai City FC – managers

* Reid (2014)
* Anelka (2015)
* Guimarães (2016–18)
* Costa (2018–20)
* Lobera (2020–21)
* Buckingham (2021–)

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