Oxford United have announced that manager Chris Wilder has signed a new one-year contract with the club. Wilder came to the Kassam Stadium in 2008 after leaving his role as Bury’s Assistant Manager. In May 2010, he guided the Us back into the Football League after defeating York City 3-1 at Wembley Stadium, but has unfortunately fallen short again this term having missed out on the League Two play-offs.

The 45-year-old’s new 12-month deal ended months of speculation regarding his position at Grenoble Road, having earlier in the season been linked with Division Three outlet Coventry City following United’s strong start to the campaign. Wilder has been told by Oxford Chairman Ian Lenagan that 25% of the first-team squad next term must be products of our youth system, so we can expect to see more of the likes of Tyrone Marsh, Max Crocombe, David Lynn, Sam Long and Callum O’Dowda in the next twelve months.

Ian Lenagan published an extensive transcript about his decision on behalf of Oxford United; it read:

“I am fully aware that many supporters, perhaps even a majority of supporters, have been expecting me to make a different decision. That is understandable. After three years of good progress under Chris’ management, the last 14 months have seen that upward curve flatten out and the stated target this year of promotion has been missed.

“In the circumstances, therefore, the easy decision would have been to dismiss Chris, the easy decision but, in the view of the Board, the wrong one.

“We are convinced that, in Chris Wilder, Oxford United has a younger Manager of high promise who is about to reach his potential, having learned some valuable, if painful, lessons over the last two years in the area of player recruitment and dealing with fans. Having lived through some of those painful lesson recently with him, I am clear in my own mind that we at Oxford are about to reap the rewards”

Lenagan added; “Chris’ achievements at Oxford are already considerable, and should be noted. We are 30 places higher in football’s pyramid since he took over as manager four-and-a-half years ago. He ensured that this great club is once again a Football League Club and respected by other clubs as a place where things are done properly.

“That is not to say that gratitude for the past is the reason we have made our decision. It is simply to recognise that, for a young Manager, Chris has already demonstrated considerable acumen and achieved significant successes and, importantly, has learned lessons as a manager from the failings of the past two years.

“Add that acumen and learned experience to a stronger base here at Oxford United, with the Sports Science department and the Academy now firing on all cylinders, and both he and we strongly believe that the upward curve we saw in Chris Wilder’s first three years at OUFC is about to be resumed.

“In detail terms: Chris Wilder has accepted a new 12-month fixed-term contract with an option in favour of the Club to extend the contract further, on defined terms, if it chooses to.

“With the greater opportunities arising for Oxford United as a result of other clubs choosing to scale back their Youth Development, it is the Board’s belief that Youth Development is the best strategy to support Oxford United’s further progression up the League pyramid.

“History suggests that when Oxford United stands united, success follows”

Meanwhile Oxford boss Chris Wilder had this to say: “I’m delighted to be reappointed. I’m honoured to be manager.

“I take full responsibility for Oxford United falling short in our points tally this season”