A MOVE to Queens Park Rangers may not have been a ‘step forward’ for Karl Robinson because of Oxford United’s potential.

That is the view of former U’s defender Stevie Kinniburgh as rumours of the head coach switching to Loftus Road were finally put to bed.

The Sky Bet Championship club yesterday appointed Aston Villa assistant manager Michael Beale as their new boss, five weeks after announcing Mark Warburton would depart.

READ MORE: Oxford United level with several clubs in early promotion odds

Robinson had been linked with the job since before it became vacant and was the bookmakers’ favourite as recently as Monday after his odds tumbled last weekend.

But there was never any indication a move was likely, despite the persistent rumours.

Robinson guided United to the Sky Bet League One play-offs in 2020 and 2021, before finishing eighth last season.

The head coach has stated his aim to make the U’s a ‘top-30 club in England’ and Kinniburgh says goals like that are why staying at the Kassam Stadium could pay dividends.

He told BBC Oxford: “What you’ve got to remember is the potential Oxford United have got and where they can go.

“It’s a huge job to get them into the Championship and keep them there, but that potential is there.

“I don’t know if QPR is a step forward, I think it’s probably more of a sideways step but one that’s very attractive because they’re in the league above.

“I just think of what Oxford United are, what they can be and the potential support they’ve got going forward.

“It’s a really good club to be involved in at the minute.”

QPR ended the Championship campaign 11th, but they were in the hunt for a play-off place until the final few weeks of the season.

Robinson has been U’s head coach since March 2018 and has two years left on his contract, having agreed a new deal in September 2020.

United have consistently challenged at the top of League One under his management, albeit without making that final step.

Off the pitch, the U’s are backed by wealthy owners and hope to build a new stadium at Stratfield Brake, Kidlington, with their lease at Grenoble Road running out in 2026.