OXFORD United fans have been urged to ‘get fully behind’ caretaker manager Derek Fazackerley and the players after Pep Clotet was sacked.

Yellows fans were shocked yesterday after the club announced it had parted company with the Spaniard, who replaced Michael Appleton in the summer.

The club said the board took the decision ‘in the best interests’ of Oxford United.

It came after the U’s lost to Sky Bet League One bottom club Bury on Saturday.

Assistant head coach Derek 'Faz' Fazackerley will take charge of tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy quarter-final tie at Chelsea.

Chairman of the club’s supporters’ trust OxVox, Jem Faulkner, said it was time to get behind the players.

He said: “It’s obviously a difficult time when a manager leaves any club, but the results and indeed performances, over recent weeks have not been at the level we have been accustomed to over these last few years.

“Oxford United, unlike some others, has not been a club that regularly changes managers and clearly this will have been a tough and carefully considered move by Darryl Eales and his board – we wish Pep well for the future. “Importantly, we urge all fans to get fully behind the club, Faz and the players and let’s all look to play our part in helping support our club to the best possible position in the league table this season.”

The club’s decision to sack Clotet was met with a mixed reaction from fans.

U’s fan Jake Hardiman said: “Quite surprised that Pep Clotet hasn’t been given until the end of the season, seems an awkward time to lose a manager in the January transfer window.

“But life goes on and I’m grateful for all his hard work.”

But Richard Hanna said: “The season has been going no where for a long time, perhaps the whole season.

“He didn’t seem to have much fire in his belly or ambition.

“By March we could have been drawn into a relegation battle.”

Martin Lee, who works as a chef, said it was the right call.

He said: “I just couldn’t see where a change would come from. He didn’t seem to know his best 11.

“Yes we have had injuries but he didn’t seem passionate.”

“All too often you would see Faz on the touch line shouting whilst he was sat down.”

After a decent start to the season United have struggled in recent weeks and the latest defeat leaves the U’s equidistant from the play-off places and the relegation zone.