DES Buckingham has suggested the announcement of Chris Hackett as his assistant at Oxford United was revealed earlier than planned.

Buckingham has been working without an assistant head coach, as Liam Manning took Chris Hogg, plus first team coach analyst James Krause, with him to Bristol City.

In a statement published on the club website yesterday morning, U’s chief executive Tim Williams said academy coach Hackett, who has been supporting the first team since Buckingham arrived, would assume the role of assistant boss.

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Williams’ statement read: “The recruitment and development of talent is vital. When Des joined the club, he made it very clear that he wanted to assess the current staffing set-up before making any changes or bringing in new coaches.

“I’m delighted to confirm that on the back of this ongoing review, Chris Hackett will be assuming the role of Des’ assistant, to work alongside Craig Short and Lewis Price.

“We have also agreed a deal to appoint a first team analyst and are in the process of finalising a start date for them.”

However, after United’s exit from the EFL Trophy last night, Buckingham hinted the above announcement may have been revealed earlier than it should’ve been.

He said: “It’s something that we’ve probably gone a little bit too early with, but Chris has been extremely good in the environment since I’ve come in.

“The support he’s given me and the support he’s given the team, and how good of a coach he is, and the way he’s able to link the academy with the first team, there are so many positives with having him in the environment of the first team.”