Oxford United are pleased to welcome Mark Sale to the Club as part of Gary Rowett’s backroom staff.
Taking on the role of Assistant Head Coach, Mark will work alongside Craig Short who also holds the same title, while Lewis Price and Chris Hackett remain in their respective positions within the coaching team.
Mark joins having previously worked with Gary Rowett as Assistant Head Coach at Burton Albion, Birmingham City, Derby County, and Stoke City.
The former striker then followed Gary to Millwall where he worked in the scouting department, leaving the role to take up this opportunity with United.
Speaking to the Club, Mark said: “It’s a really exciting time for me to come into this Football Club alongside Gary.
“There wasn’t too much thought in my mind when Gary asked if I would come in with him. There’s a really good group of players in the building and I’ve enjoyed meeting them and the staff over the first few days.
“The Championship is a tough and competitive league, but we have come in as we see a group who have what it takes to achieve at this level.
“Gary has a clear way that he wants to work and it’s my job to help him get that message across and ensure we try and uphold a positive environment in the Training Ground.
“I’ve known Gary since the early 1990s when we were both players, then I got the chance to work with him for the first time when we were at Burton Albion.
“I’ve worked with him at pretty much every club he has moved to since then, so we have a great relationship and hopefully, this will help as we try and get the players to buy into what we want to do here.
“Personally, I love being around people and I always want to have a good relationship with the players. While I’m here, I will be bright, I’ll bring enthusiasm, and hopefully that comes across to the players and we can be successful together.”
Speaking about bringing Mark to the Club, Gary Rowett said: “Mark is someone I’ve worked with right back at the start. I’ve known him for an awful long time, and I actually played with him many moons ago.
“It’s important you’ve got people who understand how you work, and we need to hit the ground running.
“I’m excited to have him here. He’s really good, a brilliant people person, and I think he’ll fit in with the group really well.
“One of the things I’ve noticed is there are some really good staff here and some really good people.
“Everyone is trying their best to be part of what we want to do, and also it’s up to us to filter into the way they work as well, and we hope we can all help deliver together.”
Mark will be in the dugout today for Gary Rowett’s first game in charge against Cardiff City.
