Patterson had been under pressure from disgruntled Oxford fans

Sacked Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has urged supporters to stand by the club.

Patterson said he will always be fond of United and would even love another crack at managing them in the future.

He told BBC Oxford: "I am obviously disappointed but I hope everyone gets behind the new chairman, Jim [Smith] and the players for Thursday.

"I am gutted, it has been a big part of the last eight years of my life, I was hoping I would get a little longer."

But the 39-year-old added: "I understand decisions have to be made, it's done now and I have to get on with the rest of my footballing career.

"I also hope whoever comes in, and I wholeheartedly mean this, I hope and pray that he is the man to do the business for Oxford United and gets us into the league."

Patterson joined Oxford's coaching staff in 2002 and became manager just over a year ago, replacing Jim Smith.

Smith, who is now a club director, has taken temporary charge of the U's, who play Mansfield in the Blue Square Premier on Thursday.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version