Oxford United Boss Karl Robinson starts a new chapter in the club’s history as he takes his side to the Valley on Saturday.
“I think the week has actually gone a little bit under the radar in terms of what it means for the club” he told iFollow today.
“We have had so many conversations even though we all knew this was going to happen and how it was the next step in the club’s development. Now it’s all about where we take the club moving forward.
“Tiger is one of the kindest people I’ve worked with and I have so much respect for the way he has conducted himself over the last four and a half years. And at the same time I have worked with Erick, Anin and Horst since probably the second season.
“We had a meal at some stage and they were talking about investment and continuity at the right time. Everyone has worked so hard to make sure things kept going in the right direction so we could get to this stage where the things we were talking about, a CEO, a new Chairman, a Women’s General Manager and now a new Academy Manager could all happen.
“We know what is needed and I can do less on all that now because we have an infrastructure of tremendous people now in place and I’m really excited to be part of this new chapter.
“People speak about pressure to win on Saturday but I don’t think anyone puts more pressure on me than I do myself. That should always be the way, from the start to end of any season. So you shouldn’t be under any more pressure now there is a greater opportunity to step up. If there is then you were too comfortable before.”
Although clearly excited about the game at his former club, and about the new Board structure, Karl was more guarded about United’s injuries after a free weekend due to the international break.
“People have got closer, yes, some will be available for the weekend, some will not be quite yet but they are all out on the grass now apart from Yanic Wildschut who is still in the gym but working very hard to get back out and join training.
“But we have trained well, with people on the outside understandably talking more about the future of the club after the news. Now it’s all about going to Charlton and getting a positive result to end a really really good week.”
You can see an emotional interview with Karl in iFollow right now where he talks about the events that overshadowed United’s last trip to Charlton…