Oxford United are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Hackett as the new PDP Coach.
Chris, Oxford born and bred, is a familiar figure to most Oxford fans having coming through the youth system at the club himself before making over 150 first team appearances for the U’s. His playing career then took him to Hearts, Millwall and Northampton Town before he hung up his boots last summer.
Since then he has been coaching United’s under 15 side and he will now step up to join Leon Blackmore Such in coaching United’s under 18s.
Les Taylor, Academy Manager, told us:
“We have been looking for someone ever since the departure of Andy Whing and we held a thorough series of interviews and there were some outstanding candidates. Chris was the outstanding one and we are pleased that he will be joining us full time. He has such a passion for this club and is an outstanding young coach and with him and Leon as a management team we know that the scholars are in extremely good hands.”
Chris told us:
“I couldn’t be happier. I have enjoyed working with the under 15s and it was hard to tell them this week that I was stepping up to the youth team, but it is such an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to work with Leon and everyone connected with the under 18s. I have seen the scholars this year and they are a great group so if I can pass on some of my experience and ideas and help them become even better players then that would be fantastic.
“I want to thank the club for having such faith in me; Darryl, Les and the coaches behind the scenes - I'd like to thank Kelvin Alexis for his help over the last year or so in particular. Now I can’t wait to get started."