KARL Robinson is more excited than ever about Oxford United’s potential.

The U’s head coach had been linked with the manager’s job at Sky Bet Championship side AFC Bournemouth, before they appointed Jonathan Woodgate.

Robinson signed a new four-year contract with United last September after guiding them to the 2019/20 Sky Bet League One play-off final, with the U’s challenging for the top six again this season.

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to MK Dons – who he managed from 2010 to 2016 – the U’s boss revealed he has never been more hungry to succeed.

He said: “What I’m involved in here is something I’ve never been so excited about.

“I have complete clarity now.

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“The history the club have got, the players and managers that have been before, it really gives you a sense of we know where we can go.

“We’ve been there and we know what Oxfordshire can get excited about.

“This is where my heart is and I want us to be as competitive as anyone else in the league.

“This is about building this team and we’ll have to write another page on Saturday.”

Robinson joined United in March 2018 and brought up 150 games in charge against Bristol Rovers last month.

That 2-0 victory came in the middle of a nine-match winning run that propelled United from the lower reaches of the table to the edge of the top six.

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The U’s poor start was, in part, due to the quick turnaround between last season and this one because of the coronavirus pandemic, with their congested League One schedule continuing at Dons.

It has taken its toll on Robinson, but with his contract running until 2024 and his family settled in the area he is ready to take on the next part of the challenge.

“My family means the world to me and my daughter’s schooling is important – this is where my life is”, he said.

“I don’t want to leave.

“This club means more to me than I ever thought it would.

“The desire of the owners has increased as well, and that increases with demand, stress and pressure.

“Right now none of us have a release for our own personal pressures, so the pressure does build up on you as a football manager.

“This pressure that we’re about to build on ourselves in the next three years of my contract is something that I’m really excited about.

“That’s a really good place to be.

“We’re all immensely excited about where we can take the football club.”