Hackett supported the first team last season after Buckingham was appointed in November, with that role officially becoming ‘assistant coach and head of individual development’ prior to the start of the current campaign.

The 41-year-old was born in Oxford and started his playing career with the U’s, before permanent stints with Hearts, Millwall and Northampton Town.

He returned to United in September 2016, managing the Under-15s side, before taking over as PDP coach in December 2017.

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As part of his current role, Hackett will lead individual player development, both on and off the pitch, as well as easing the transition for young players from the U’s academy system.

He said: “My passion is still helping develop younger players, I still see that as my strength and what I like doing.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t develop the senior players as well, and get that relationship with them.

“As long as you want to learn and improve, there’s scope for that, and I’ve enjoyed doing that within the first team group with senior players and younger players.”

Hackett added: “I’m an Oxford boy and I’ve supported the club since my first game with my parents at the Manor as a two-or-three-year-old.

“It’s incredible and I feel really privileged to be in the situation I’m in. The club has been my life really.

“It’s something I’ve always known, and I love the city and the club. I’m really privileged to be in the position I’m in and to be working within the club.”

Worthy recognition for the heartbeat of the #oufc side. Already looking at home in the Championship too.

Also good to see Jodi Jones win the PFA League Two player of the year, after grabbing 23 assists in the fourth tier. https://t.co/0CY83h9FJf

— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) August 21, 2024

Last season, Hackett was called upon when coaching staff numbers were light following Liam Manning’s exit to Bristol City.

Manning took with him his assistant Chris Hogg, plus first team coach analyst James Krause, to Ashton Gate.

Now though, alongside Buckingham in the dugout, United have two Oxford-born members of the coaching staff leading the team in Sky Bet Championship.

Hackett said: “It’s a unique club. Oxford people love Oxford United. It’s a small city, and everybody knows each other.

“Everybody is really passionate about the club. You go around the city and there is a real passion for the club, whether they go and watch them or not.

“To be a part of that, for myself and the manager, and understand what it means to the city, it helps.

“It’s not just myself and the manager within the club, there are a lot of people who have been in the club for a long, long time, and longer than myself.

“People like Jonny Edmunds are real figures within the club, and they understand what it means as well.”