Oxford United- The Long Road To The Top

Earlier today, it was announced that Oxford United had sacked manager Chris Wilder, the man who got Oxford back into the Football League again after winning promotion from the Blue Square Premier 2 years ago. Early favourites that have emerged among the fans are ex-player Billy Beechers and Yemi Odubade with recently retired footballer Michael Owen also said to be one of the front runners.

After it had emerged that Chris Wilder had been sacked earlier this afternoon, the U's chairman Ian Lenagan has wasted no time in finding someone to replace him. Michael Owen, 33, who started his playing career at Liverpool, who was one of the favourites for the job after recently retiring, said " I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to prove myself as a manager."

He started his playing career at Liverpool and quickly became a legend, scoring 118 goals in 216 appearances for the club. He then moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid for £8 million but was on the bench for most of his time there. Despite this, he managed to score 13 goals in 36 appearances for the club.

In 2005, he moved to Newcastle for £16 million. However injury marred this move and he never really returned to form. He managed to score 26 goals in 71 appearances over the 4 years he spent at the Tyneside club. In 2009, Newcastle were relegated and Owen signed for Liverpool's rivals Manchester United on a free transfer. Again, he was struck with injury during his time there. He only managed 5 goals in 31 appearances for the club.

In 2012, he moved to Stoke City on a free transfer, but only managed 1 goal in 8 appearances. At the end of the 2012/2013 season, he felt the time was right to retire from professional football.



He also had a good track record with the England side, scoring 40 goals in 89 appearances. He will hope that this new chapter in his career is equally successful.

I was wondering how long it would take someone to become Michael Owen. Good luck with the story.

Thanks

Following the recent news that ex-England striker, Michael Owen, was to be appointed as the successor of previous Oxford United manager Chris Wilder, the team at the BBC Sport have compiled a report on the players that Owen has available to him. Before Chris Wilder was sacked, he had brought in 4 new players.

David Hunt,30, a defender who was signed on a free transfer after his contract with Npower League 1 side Crawley had expired.

Jon Meades,21, a Welsh midfielder who has been capped for Wales at U-21 level. He was brought in on a free transfer from Npower Championship outfit AFC Bournemouth when his contract ran out.

Danny Rose,25, who returns to The Kassam Stadium for the third time. He spent a year on loan at the U's from Manchester United in 2007. He then joined the club at the end of that season when Manchester United decided to release him. He spent a year the club before moving to Newport on a free transfer in 2008.

The biggest and perhaps shock signing was Dave Kitson, 33, who joined on a free transfer after being released by League 1 side Sheffield United. He has played in the Premier League for Reading and Stoke. Just 5 years ago, Stoke opened their checkbooks to pay a fee of £5.5 million for the striker.

Owen said "He (Kitson) looks like a bargain to me. I'd just like to thank Chris for the work that he's done here and wish him luck in the future." So there are the 4 signings that Chris Wilder made before being sacked. And here's the squad report we promised.

Good choice of manager

Thanks what do you think of the quality of the updates?

They are good maybe try and paragraph them so it is easier on the eye for the reader

Following Michael Owen's recent appointment as manager of League 2 side Oxford,a press conference was held at The Kassam Stadium, where a number of journalists field a range of questions to the former Liverpool and England striker. Owen brought 3 of the U's players along with him.

Jake Wright, the U's captain who plays as centre back, James Constable, the striker who is currently vice-captain for Oxford and experienced goalkeeper Wayne Brown, who also holds the position of goalkeeping coach for the team, were the players that attended along with Owen. Here are the questions that our journalists asked him.



Q. So, Michael, how does it feel to have been appointed as manager of the U's?
A. Well, obviously I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity to prove myself as a manager. I just hope I can repay the club for blessing me with this chance.

Q. Jake, James and Wayne, how do you feel about the arrival of Michael, who is considered a legend throughout the nation?
A. Jake Wright: With his experience in the game then surely it can only help the club to push on and hopefully get promotion this season under him.
James Constable: As Jake said, I hope we can achieve great success under Michael.
Wayne Brown: I'm really hoping that I can get a first team place under Mike, something I couldn't do with Chris. However I'm really happy to have been allowed to continue with my coaching role here.

Owen: Thanks for that lads, yeah as they said I'm hoping we can achieve some good results and achieve promotion.

Good start! Just wondering why most of the pics up top aren't loading for me. Might be just my computer.

Anyways I hope to see Oxford in the Premier League!

Retired English legend Michael Owen made his first 4 transfers as a manager this lunchtime, signing 3 players on loan and 1 player on a free transfer for Oxford United.
The team at the Oxford Mail have made reports on each of the 4 players signed. Enjoy reading.

Adam Coombes,21, was released by Chelsea at the end of last season after failing to impress in the youth team. He rejected League 1 side Carlisle United in order to sign for the Oxfordshire club. It is thought that he wanted to stay in the south of England. He joined on a free transfer.




The other 3 players signed will all be on loan at he club for the season. Neil Etheridge, 22, who plays for the Philippines as a goalkeeper, was loaned to the club by Fulham. Joao Teixiera,19, has been loaned from Owen's former club Liverpool. And finally, Vitalijs Maksimenko,21, who has 15 U-21 caps for Latvia. The U's have loaned him from Brighton. See the reports on the 3 loanees below.

Inquisition, they are loading for me, so it must be your computer.

Texeira 10k/week ???
Do you think it's too much?
The goalkeeper looks pretty promising.

2013-07-15 16:17#120203 bebero : Texeira 10k/week ???
Do you think it's too much?
The goalkeeper looks pretty promising.

He's only on loan but I do think he is on too much at LFC and unfortunately the GK is only on loan for me too. But yeah he does look decent.

Oh sorry, now I have seen it loan .