CHRIS Short says the chance to re-join Oxford United was too good to turn down.

The 52-year-old has returned to the club’s backroom team, 15 months after leaving his role as head of sports science to join Middlesbrough.

Short departed the Sky Bet Championship side after manager Neil Warnock was sacked last November and revealed his bond with the U’s remained just as strong during his time away.

READ MORE: Chris Short back at Oxford United after Middlesbrough spell

He said: “This is the only club I would have come back for, and I mean that because I was finished in football really. I’d lost my love of it in some ways.

“I left Middlesbrough after a short period of time and kept a note of what was happening here at Oxford because of the people.

“It’s a wonderful place to work and I’m sure the club will be successful in time.”

Short first arrived at United in November 2018, then as head of physical performance, before later becoming head of sports science.

He was joined by older brother Craig in summer 2020, with the former Premier League centre back now the club’s assistant manager.

Short will work four days a week with United’s first team and the women’s side, operating alongside head of sports science Harry Routledge and head of physical performance Chris Neville.

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He added: “It’s lovely to be back amongst people and a club I feel very comfortable and familiar with.

“I got a call from Karl (Robinson) two or three weeks ago out of the blue, although we did speak regularly about loads of different things.

“He asked me to come back in another capacity and it was an easy decision to make.

“The first thing I did was call the people at the club already to say that the last thing I wanted to do was step on anyone’s toes.

“It’s a short-term arrangement until Christmas and we’ll go from there.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Karl and the staff, particularly Harry and Nev and all the people I worked with before.

“That was really vital that it was okay with them, otherwise I wouldn’t have come down.”