JUSTIN MERRITT has stepped down as boss of Oxford City to focus on off field matters at the National League South club in his role as general manager.
City suffered a heavy 6-0 home defeat to Hungerford on Saturday and, after considering his future for some time, Merritt decided to quit as first team boss on Monday.
Merritt returned for his second spell in charge of Oxford at the start of the 2014-15 campaign and led City to a sixth place finish in Conference North before they were transferred back south.
City finished 12th last season following an excellent start but this term has been much tougher and Saturday’s heavy defeat leaves them in 17th and six points above the relegation zone.
Merritt will now focus on the club’s development off the pitch as coach Mark Jones takes caretaker charge of the first team ahead of Saturday’s visit of Eastbourne Borough.
Merritt said: “With the support of the chairman and directors I have taken the decision to step aside from the management of the first team squad. This will allow me to focus the time I have at the club as a general manager developing the club off the pitch.
“This decision has been something I have been contemplating for some time as the off the field commitments have grown considerably in the past 12 months following events at the football club.
“This has meant that I have not been able to put the required hours in or enough focus into managing a team at Step 2. This is unfortunate but I feel it is in the best interests of the club as a whole and it will allow the management team to be able concentrate specifically on the football.
“The club’s position off the pitch is complex and requires a restructuring process to enable us to solve the challenges we face. We do however have a variety of options and are working through these as quickly as possible to secure the best options for long term success of the football club.
“We feel with changes at the club likely to happen in the coming months we need to keep as much continuity as possible and therefore Mark Jones will undertake the role of caretaker first team manager with immediate effect.
“Mark fully deserves this opportunity and will be supported by myself off the pitch and we will be also adding coaching staff to provide a strong management team. The board and myself have no doubts about Mark’s commitment, dedication and capabilities and hopefully he will secure the job on a permanent basis.”
