Chris Wilder has resigned as manager of Oxford United.

The 46-year-old, according to club chairman Ian Lenagan, informed his players of his decision immediately after United’s 1-0 home victory at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After some confusion over the following 24 hours following a statement to the contrary from Chris Wilder’s agent, the situation was finally resolved on Sunday evening.

Chris Wilder was appointed as Northampton Town manager on Monday morning.

Lenagan, who has placed assistant manager Mickey Lewis in caretaker charge of the club, was handed no resignation letter and spoke to Radio Oxford after the win over Torquay.

“My understanding is Chris Wilder has in the last half an hour told the players that he is going and will not be back at Oxford after today” said the 67 year-old.

“That is all I’ve heard. I’m not sure, I’ve just looked in his office and he’s not there, but it would appear that he has resigned.

“It seems a very peculiar way to do it, but he has told the players. He told me yesterday and the day before that he would resign at the end of the match.”

A clearer statement from Ian Lenagan was released on Sunday.

“First and foremost we thank Chris for five years of service at Oxford United. He has worked very hard and helped move the club from the Conference to becoming an established League 2 side. We are grateful for his efforts on behalf of Oxford but disappointed that he chose not to continue to the end of this season’s journey.

“Today the formalities were completed to allow him to move on. The other club involved have acted professionally throughout the process and the two clubs have agreed a compensation deal that is satisfactory to Oxford United.

“We now move into a new era for Oxford United. The club has already started a thorough, professional search and interview process for the next permanent Manager.”

The former Sheffield United defender succeeded Darren Patterson at the helm of Oxford United back in December 2008 after leaving Halifax Town following their liquidation the same year.

Wilder gained Oxford promotion back into the Football League in his first full season in charge after a memorable 3-1 victory over York City in the Conference play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May 2010.

His five-year tenure at the Kassam Stadium made him the third longest serving manager in English football’s top four divisions, and leaves his side sixth after the narrow win over Torquay.

Bottom club Northampton had been without a manager since sacking Aidy Boothroyd back in December, and failed in a similar approach to Newport County boss Justin Edinburgh earlier in the week.