Oxford United

Pep Clotet determined to repay Oxford United faith after being named new manager

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 July 2017

Former Swansea City and Leeds United assistant Pep Clotet aims to 'ensure Oxford United's faith is repaid' after being named the League One club's new manager.

Pep Clotet has said that he will give his all to ensure that Oxford United's gamble to appoint him as their new manager pays off.

The 40-year-old has only previously worked as a number two during his time in England, linking up with Garry Monk at both Swansea City and Leeds United.

Clotet is now a manager in his own right after topping Oxford's list of six possible candidates, among them Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, and he is determined to prove his worth at League One level.

"I will be working very hard to ensure their faith is repaid," he told the club's official website. "Right from the first time I spoke to the club, we were very much in tune about the challenges and opportunities here, which is what led me to realise that this was the right move in my career."

Chairman Darryl Eales added: "It is an appointment that demonstrates our growing reputation within football as a forward-looking and ambitious club.

"Pep was the unanimous choice of the board, and we believe he will build on the significant progress we have made over the past three years and accelerate our collective objective of sustainable Championship status."

Clotet succeeds Michael Appleton, who left the Kassam Stadium a fortnight ago to work alongside Craig Shakespeare at Leicester City.