OXFORD United’s head of recruitment Mark Thomas has reportedly opted against a potential return to Portsmouth.

The Fratton Park outfit are looking for a new head of football operations following the departure of Roberto Gagliardi three months ago.

United’s head of recruitment and performance analysis was on the shortlist for the role, according to The News, but nothing materialised with Thomas content in his current role.

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It would have seen him return to the south coast after spending four years at Fratton Park before joining the U’s in 2014.

Thomas is well thought of within the game and has helped United make millions of pounds in transfer fees since his arrival.

In fact, seven of the 11 United players to leave for a seven-figure fee have departed since 2014.

The U’s made a significant profit on Kemar Roofe, Marvin Johnson, Gavin Whyte, Rob Dickie and Rob Atkinson, while Callum O’Dowda and Shandon Baptiste came through the academy.

Pompey have already been rejected by their top two candidates for their head of football operations role, with Forest Green Rovers’ Richard Hughes and Cambridge United’s Ben Strang turning down the opportunity.