Chairman Firoz Kassam sacked the pair after the club's annual general meeting on Tuesday.

The club's supporters made it clear they wanted Kemp to go by calling for his dismissal during Saturday's 3-1 victory over Swansea.

And Kassam said: "I have always said that I will do what I feel is best for the club rather than listening to supporters.

"But on Saturday there was not just a handful of fans chanting for David to go but thousands.

"That was not nice for me to listen to and I don't think it was very good for David either."

A new boss is expected to be appointed over the summer, and Kassam said he will be looking outside the club for Kemp's replacement.

Despite Oxford's relegation to Division Three, Kassam is optimistic for the future.

"We are moving into a new stadium for the start of next season and we will be looking to start afresh with a new manager," he said.

Former Oxford player Mike Ford has been put in temporary charge for the team's final two games of the season, beginning with Tuesday's last league game at the Manor Ground against Port Vale.