Home Football U’s chairman breaks silence after Des Buckingham sacking

U’s chairman breaks silence after Des Buckingham sacking

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U’s chairman breaks silence after Des Buckingham sacking

The decision to dismiss Buckingham has proven to be an unpopular one with a large number of the U’s fanbase, considering that it was he who led the club to promotion via the Sky Bet League One play-offs last season.

But after a promising start to life in the Championship, with three wins in their opening five games, United slumped to a troubling run of form consisting of just one victory in their last 15 games.

READ ALSO: Des Buckingham delivers classy message following surprise U’s sacking

Ferguson told the U’s club website: “Des was not only an integral part of one of the best days in the club’s history, he also holds deep ties to Oxford United and the city.

“We did not hire Des due to his Oxford connections, but fully understand how us parting ways impacts you as supporters.  

“I want to start by expressing my thanks to Des for everything he did for us. Des played an important role in the club’s success as we reached the Championship for the first time in 25 years, an achievement which will live long in the memory, especially for the unforgettable day at Wembley.

“In just over a year as head coach, he took us a step closer to realising our overall ambition as a football club.

“Since my appointment as chairman in the summer of 2022, the board, Tim Williams and I have been very clear about our ambition: to establish Oxford United as a stable and sustainable Championship club.

“Whilst we are now in the Championship, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. We will forever be grateful to Des for helping us reach this point, but we believe that in order to protect the best interests of the club, this decision needed to be taken.

Oxford Mail:

“Our primary goal remains to secure our place in the Championship, not just for this season, but for the future.

“Although our expectations are realistic, we firmly believe that our current position and recent form are not reflective of the potential this squad holds.

“Many factors are taken into consideration with decisions like these but, ultimately, results are the defining factor.

“Given performances over a number of months, and following the recent defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, we as the board agreed that a change had to be made now. 

“Taking this course of action at this point in the season will ensure the new head coach has the best opportunity possible to work with the team and be involved in the upcoming January transfer window.

“We are committed to appointing the right person as our next head coach and aim to do so in the very near future. We understand that you will want to know more details, and we will update you as soon as we are in a position to do so.”