Oxford United have begun the search for a new manager.

Ramon Diaz appears to have left the Kassam Stadium and his sons, Emiliano and Michael - who both had playing contracts - have gone with him, along with another Argentine, the coach Raul Marcovich.

Chairman Firoz Kassam is in talks with head coach Horacio Rodriguez about keeping a reduced management team for next season, which could include just Rodriguez and fitness trainer Pablo Fernandez.

But others are being considered as Kassam ponders what to do next.

David Moss, the former assistant manager to Brian Horton at Oxford, who is now in charge at Conference club Northwich Victoria, was in the directors' box at Rochdale on Saturday when United lost 5-1 in the final away game of the season.

Moss, who has managed both Macclesfield and Stockport, told the Oxford Mail he was "desperate" to get back into top-level football.

It seems unlikely he would have been at the game to watch Oxford unless he told there was a possible vacancy.

No-one at United has been prepared to make a statement about Diaz.

As usual, there were no directors at an away match, while secretary Mick Brown said: "I am not aware that Ramon has left the club."

But it appears that Diaz has gone, with reports that he and his sons flew back to Monaco on Saturday.

Even if he does return for United's final game of the season, against Chester this Saturday, that would only be as a farewell gesture.

Although he has been largely just a figurehead, with Rodriguez (pictured) making all the team selections and tactical decisions, as a former World Cup star, Diaz carried kudos and helped to get players to the club.

Talks have clearly broken down because of finance.

Before he stays, Rodriguez wants talks about the contract he would have and the sort of squad Kassam would let him put together.

He said: "We have been having talks with the chairman, and this week it is going to be decided."

Asked about the possibility of just himself and Fernandez remaining, he said, talking through translator Giuilliano Iacoppi: "It is one of the possibilities and this week it is going to be talked about.

"It has to be done this week because things have to be decided about pre-season and everything.

"It's fundamental for everybody, so we know what's happening next season. We now know this division, and we hope to be able to fight for the top next season."