DEREK Fazackerley admits he does not know whether his spell in charge would last days,

weeks or months, but would not be drawn on whether he was interested in becoming the next Oxford United boss.

The 66-year-old was informed late on Sunday night he was being put in caretaker charge of the side after Pep Clotet was sacked.

He led the team last night at Stamford Bridge, where the U’s lost 3-0 to Chelsea Under 21s in the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-finals.

Fazackerley was in the running for the top job last summer, but while he did not want to discuss if he wanted the post full-time, the coach has not been given a timeframe on how long the process could take.

He said: “I’m here doing what I’m doing until I’m told differently.

“I’m quite happy to be doing what I’m doing until I’m told there’s somebody else in charge. Whether that’s a week, a month, or six months, I don’t know.”

He added: “I’ve no real inclination from the board of how long it will be.

“I’m sure it was something they’ve considered very carefully.

“I don’t think for one minute it was pre-meditated and there’s something in the pipeline. I think it will be a process that will take time.

“They’ve got a considerable amount of work to get through before they get to appointing who they want.

“We’ll see over the next few days or few weeks. We’ll just carry on and try to do the best we can under the circumstances.”

Fazackerley, who was brought in as part of Michael Appleton’s coaching set-up in 2014, is viewed by bookmakers as a contender.

But the big mover in the market yesterday was Frank Lampard.

The former Chelsea and England midfielder was heavily linked with the role last July and on the back of reports in one national newspaper that he was in talks with United, is the odds-on favourite.

It was ironic given Lampard’s connections to the west London club that the U’s would be playing at Stamford Bridge.

The defeat was not the ideal start for Fazackerley, but the former England coach did not feel it was an audition.

He said: “I don’t think I need to discuss things like that.

“I’ve been at the club for three and a half years and everybody knows my role and responsibilities.

“The people in charge will make a decision within the next ten days, two weeks, month, six months and then we’ll take it from there.”