SHAUN Derry has not ruled out a return to management – but is clear his new role at Oxford United is no stop-gap.

The ex-Leeds United and QPR midfielder has joined as first-team coach, working under boss Karl Robinson and alongside Derek Fazackerley.

Since hanging up his boots, Derry has taken charge of Notts County and Cambridge United.

He left the Abbey Stadium by mutual consent in February and has since turned down offers to take on a third managerial role.

Instead, Derry has been biding his time waiting for the ideal next position.

He said: “In the past three months there have been opportunities for me to be that No 1.

“If I wanted to do it for the sake of being the manager I would’ve taken one of those opportunities.

“I’ve made the right decision – this is the right club for me at the right time.

“I will be coming here 100 per cent committed to being an assistant at Oxford United.”

He added: “Now I’m looking for a different type of experience.

“I want to perhaps prove to people that I’m flexible enough to work in a team and see a different side of football to that person who has sat at the top of the tree.”

Robinson did not bring any staff with him when he took charge as U’s boss in March, but always planned to make changes.

Derry’s appointment, which fills the vacancy created by Chris Allen’s move to head up the new under-23 side, has been in the works for several weeks.

And the 40-year-old’s appetite was whetted in April, when he was an interested spectator for the 2-1 win over Rochdale at the Kassam Stadium.

He said: “I thought the support on the day was phenomenal.

“That was something that really pleasantly surprised me and I’m looking forward to experiencing that.

“It’s a brilliant support mechanism for the players to experience that closeness with the fans.

“It gets you points.”

Derry expects his role to evolve as he builds relationships with Robinson and Fazackerley during the summer.

“We’re all coming together for the first time, but I know what type of personalities Karl and Derek have,” he said.

“They will know what kind of characteristics I have.

“I want to be getting on to the grass and putting on certain sessions for the team.

“Ultimately whatever Karl needs I’ll be there for him and I want to be successful, that’s why I’m here.”