MUMBAI: Des Buckingham did not go quietly into the night. A group of Mumbai City supporters made it a point to head to the international airport in the wee hours of Friday to bid their departing manager farewell after the Englishman decided to take over the reins at hometown club Oxford United.
For a club that is still in the process of growing its fan base and often struggles to draw a full house for Indian Super League home matches at Mumbai Football Arena, the gesture clearly moved Buckingham.
"The last 12 hours of my life have been very difficult. Very happy with things, but very difficult to leave," an emotional Buckingham told the gathering outside the departures section at Terminal 2. "A country where I arrived just over two years ago...didn't know anybody, didn't know too much, but the way I've been made to feel so welcome, firstly by your guys, secondly in Mumbai and thirdly from across the country, and for you to turn up at this time of the night and to do what you are doing to see me off, I'll never forget this."
Mumbai City's faithful following clearly won't forget Buckingham either. The 38-year-old, who has signed a long-term contract with the club where his coaching journey took flight, leaves the Islanders after steering them to new heights in the two years he was in charge. Under Buckingham's watch, Mumbai dismantled opponents on their way to sealing the ISL League Winners' Shield in 18 games last season, in a campaign where they broke as many as 17 league records. Prior to that remarkable campaign, they also made a big impact on the continental front, by becoming the first Indian team ever to win an AFC Champions League game, when they beat Iraqi side Air Force Sports Club 2-1 in Riyadh.
And it's not just the results but the enterprising style of play through which they were achieved that made Mumbai a treat to watch, helping the club win over new admirers in the process.
As fate would have it, some of that admiration of Buckingham's work eventually came from a place dear to his heart. "Des is someone we've been monitoring for a while," said Ed Waldron, head of recruitment at Oxford United, in a statement issued by the third-tier English club. "He's young, highly regarded and already has a wealth of coaching experience. His attacking style of play and philosophy suits the squad we are building and will help this outstanding group of players continue their excellent start to the season," he added.
Getting their man did come at a heavy cost for Oxford United, who currently lie a point behind leaders Portsmouth in the League One standings. The English club reportedly agreed to a hefty compensation package with City Football Group owned Mumbai City, who are now saddled with the challenge of finding Buckingham's successor with the season already underway.
"Des came into the club in a period of transition and did incredibly well not just to help lay the foundations of an elite football club but also to achieve great success both domestically in the Indian Super League and continentally at the AFC Champions League," said Kandarp Chandra, Mumbai City CEO, in a club statement. "While we are sad to see him leave, Des wants to take up a project that is close back home in the English Football League. His contribution to Mumbai City cannot be understated and with best wishes for the future, we say goodbye to Des and look towards the next chapter for Mumbai City."
In a post on X, Buckingham thanked the fans, staff and players at Mumbai City for their "unwavering support" as he expressed his desire to "pursue an opportunity close to my heart back home". But he had one final message for the loyal flock who showed up at the airport before heading off to catch his flight. "Please continue to turn up at the MFA. I know you will. Support the team. They are in a very good space to continue having success this season. So get behind them. I'll be supporting from Oxford."
