ROVERS’ record appearance holder Derek Fazackerley has been placed in temporary charge of Oxford Untied after they parted company with boss Pep Clotet this morning.

Clotet left his position as manager at the Kassam Stadium, with the Os sitting 10th in the table, eight points outside of the play-off spots, after two wins in their last eight games.

They were beaten 2-1 at home by bottom side Bury on Saturday to damage their hopes of claiming a play-off spot come the end of the season.

Fazackerey has been played in charge until further notice having joined the club in July 2014, where he was appointed as number two to former Rovers boss Michael Appleton.

Appleton, who has since joined Leicester City as their assistant manager, achieved promotion from League Two with Oxford in 2015/16 as well as twice losing in the Football League Trophy.

Clotet, a former assistant at both Leeds United and Swansea City, was brought in during the summer to replace the outgoing Appleton but won just 12 of his 36 games in charge, including a 4-2 defeat to Rovers in November.

A club statement read: “Oxford United Football Club has today parted company with its manager, Pep Clotet.

“The Board has taken the decision after much consideration, and in the best interests of Oxford United FC.

“Pep has worked extremely hard throughout his time at Oxford. The board thanks him for his efforts and wishes him every success for the future.

“Derek Fazackerley will take charge of the first team until further notice, and the search for a permanent replacement has already begun. The board is focused on maintaining a challenge for promotion to the Championship and will make an announcement regarding a new manager as soon as possible.”