Oxford United today announce the appointment of Pep Clotet as their new manager.
Barcelona-born Pep, 40, joins the U’s after a spell as assistant head coach at Leeds United. He has previously managed Cornellà, Figueres, Espanyol B, and Málaga B in his native Spain before spells in Sweden and Norway. In 2013 he was appointed as academy consultant at Swansea City as part of Michael Laudrup's coaching staff before becoming assistant manager to Garry Monk, linking up again with former U’s defender Monk at Elland Road in 2016.
Pep will work alongside the existing first team coaching staff, led by Derek Fazackerley, and was appointed after a thorough recruitment and interview process, as Chairman Darryl Eales explained:
“I am delighted that Pep has chosen to launch his managerial career at Oxford United. It is an appointment that demonstrates our growing reputation within football as a forward-looking and ambitious club.
“Pep is a proven coach, progressive and hugely knowledgeable, and I believe we are fortunate to have attracted such a highly-regarded individual who is destined for an outstanding managerial career.
“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. He is committed to building on our existing infrastructure, based on our excellent coaching and backroom and recruitment team and continuing to develop our attractive playing philosophy.
“I am sure everyone associated with the club will join me in wishing Pep every success in his new role and will give him the 100% support he deserves as we look forward to another exciting and successful campaign.”
Pep added: I'm really thrilled to be embarking on this new challenge at a club as ambitious as Oxford United. It's an exciting prospect and I'll be giving my all to ensure that as a team, and with the fans' support, we go on and achieve the targets we set ourselves.
"I wish to thank the chairman, Darryl Eales, and his board of directors for placing their faith in me. 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. I will be working very hard to ensure their faith is repaid.
"I look forward to joining the Oxford United family, meeting the players and staff, and getting down to work on the training pitch."