MICHAEL Appleton’s departure from Oxford United leaves a huge void.

And at a crucial stage of the U’s preparations for the forthcoming season, chairman Darryl Eales faces some big decisions.

There is rarely a good time for a manager to quit and move to pastures new.

But many supporters will be concerned that United’s players could report back for pre-season training in a fortnight without a permanent boss.

Make no mistake, Appleton ruled the roost.

There can be few managers so controlled on a touchline, and when he spoke to the media after a game, his comments were always measured and to the point.

He did not rant and rave, rarely offered excuses and put his thoughts across in a ‘matter of fact’ way that ensured they were taken on board.

He is also one of the few managers not to duck questions. If you asked him something, he would answer.

Appleton led from the front, was not afraid to make big calls – but went about his business with consummate professionalism.

He treated his players with respect. But if anyone got on the wrong side of him or if he feared they were a bad influence on the rest of the squad, he would act. Just ask Dan Crowley or Liam Sercombe.

Appleton had spent the off-season meeting potential new signings in a bid to lead a promotion challenge.

He had already signed back-up goalkeeper Scott Shearer and defender Charlie Raglan, while a deal for highly-rated Partick Thistle defender Liam Lindsay was all-but done before his departure led to the player changing his mind.

However, his decision to leave his job to become a No 2 at Leicester City has rocked the club.

Appleton was linked with the England Under 21 role earlier this year and 18 months ago was understood to be wanted to reshape Manchester United’s youth academy – the club where he was a trainee.

Wigan Athletic were this summer also very keen to try to lure him away from Oxford.

Appleton came to United as part of the Eales-led takeover in July 2014, replacing Gary Waddock.

He was seen by many as a risky proposition after failed spells in charge of Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers. He had previously been in charge of troubled Portsmouth.

When Appleton arrived, United barely had enough players to name a matchday squad, but along with Eales and chief executive Mark Ashton set to work on reshaping the club.

However, the scale of the task, coupled with his appointment after the start of pre-season, contributed to underwhelming results and there were calls from some sections of fans for Eales to take action.

But United’s chairman stood by his man – and soon the decision began to reap rewards as the restructuring, particularly in recruitment, clicked into gear.

A fine finish to his first season saw United go in to the 2015/16 campaign in good shape.

There followed a sensational season, that saw the U’s win promotion, reach the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley as well as a memorable 3-2 victory over Premier League side Swansea in the third round of the FA Cup.

Success came at a price, however, with big names Kemar Roofe and Callum O’Dowda leaving to join Leeds United and Bristol City respectively for combined fees that could total in the region of £4.6m.

But that was part of the United strategy – developing young talent and selling them on for profit.

Part of that money was reinvested, Marvin Johnson the highest-profile signing at the start of last season as Appleton rebuilt again.

Despite a sticky start to the campaign, the U’s started to find their feet and climb the Sky Bet League One table.

Their eighth-placed finish was their highest since 1998/99 and included more giant-killing with a 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Newcastle United, having won away at another Championship side, Rotherham, in the previous round.

Appleton led the U’s to another Wembley final, but described the 2-1 defeat as his ‘lowest moment in football’.

When agreeing a new rolling contract with Appleton in April 2016, Eales went on record as saying: ‘My biggest fear is someone coming in for Michael, because I’d love him to be Oxford manager for the next five years.’ That fear has now been realised and the search for his replacement starts.