After Oxford United's long search for a manager comes to an end with the appointment of Karl Robinson, we look back on the twists and turns of an incredible two months:

January 22: Two days after his side lose 2-1 at home to bottom side Bury, Pep Clotet is sacked.

A brief statement from the club says the board took the decision “after much consideration, and in the best interests of Oxford United FC.”

January 23: After United lose 3-0 at Chelsea Under 21s in the Checkatrade Trophy, caretaker boss Derek Fazackerley is tight-lipped on whether he is a candidate.

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

One national newspaper reports Frank Lampard is ‘in talks’ about the job, something the former Chelsea and England star rejects later in the week.

January 24: Early front-runner Michael Appleton rules himself out of contention for a quick return.

Oxford Mail:

  • Michael Appleton (picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

The Leicester City assistant manager said: “Never say never in the future, but at this moment in time I am in a really good place.”

February 2: News breaks that United have approached Everton for permission to speak with their Under 23s coach David Unsworth.

February 6: U’s chairman Darryl Eales says he is in “no rush” to appoint a new manager.

Oxford Mail:

  • David Unsworth (picture: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

February 7: After rejecting a report saying Unsworth had turned down the job, Eales says: “We’ve made no decision and nobody has been our No 1 target in that sense, because it would be disrespectful to the process.

“We will take our time.

“The bar has to be someone who we feel fits with the club and will do a better job than Faz.”

February 8: Liverpool academy coach Michael Beale features prominently in the betting.

Oxford Mail:

  • Craig Bellamy (picture: Martin Rickett/PA)

February 21: Oxford United gain permission to speak to Craig Bellamy. Cardiff City chief executive Ken Choo made it clear reports claiming the Welshman, player development manager with the Sky Bet Championship club, had agreed a deal were inaccurate, but said: “Oxford United is just having initial talks, nothing firm yet.

“They are just getting my permission to do so today.”

February 22: Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth, known as Tiger, completes his takeover of Oxford United.

Sol Campbell claims United turned him down, saying: “I'm one of the greatest minds in football and I'm wasted because of a lack of experience or maybe he talks his mind too much."

February 27: At Tiger’s first press conference, he is hopeful of finalising the recruitment process within “a day or two”.

Oxford Mail:

February 28: Bellamy rules himself out of the running. After revealing he had agreed terms with Darryl Eales, the former Wales striker opted to withdraw as Thanakarnjanasuth took over the process.

Bellamy said: “It took a while for me and Darryl to have a number of meetings to get comfortable with each other and by the end we felt we both wanted the same things for Oxford.

“To go through that process with a new owner would have taken a couple of weeks because I want to get to know him and what he wants, but also he’d want to see that from me.

“The club don’t need another three or four weeks, they need an immediate appointment.”

Brian McDermott, who worked with Tiger at Reading, becomes the new favourite.

Fazackerley makes it clear whoever takes over, he would like to stay on the coaching staff in some capacity.

March 1: Thanakarnjanasuth asks U’s fans for patience and hopes an appointment can be made the following week.

March 6: Tiger says he wants to meet the remaining candidates face-to-face before making a decision.

Oxford Mail:

Former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert (above Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire) emerges as a contender.

March 8: While bookmakers Sky Bet reveal 37 different candidates had been backed during the process, Karl Robinson and Steve McClaren distance themselves from speculation about them being front-runners for the job.

Robinson insisted: “I know nothing about that,”, while McClaren said: ““I don’t know where it’s come from.”

March 13: Thanakarnjanasuth releases a statement saying a preferred candidate with the ‘wow’ factor had been selected and wanted to come, but the deal was not finalised. He believed an announcement would be made the following week.

March 14: Sven Goran Eriksson and Steven Gerrard are among the new names linked to the post.

Oxford Mail:

  • Jaap Stam (picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

March 21: Jaap Stam, who worked with Tiger at Reading, is sacked by the Royals. It prompts the 25/1 outsider to become the second favourite within minutes.

March 22: After resigning at Charlton Athletic, Karl Robinson is appointed United's manager.