Ferguson no longer Oxford chairman in board reshuffle
Rudi Laksmana and Dusan Bogdanovic have joined Oxford's leadership group
- Published
Oxford United have appointed a new club chairman who takes over from Grant Ferguson in a restructure of their board.
Former Inter Milan board member Rudi Laksmana and Indonesian-based football agent Dusan Bogdanovic have joined the leadership group, with the latter appointed as the new chair.
Despite stepping down from his role after four years, Ferguson will still remain involved going forward but in a lesser role as a director.
Oxford say, external that these changes are part of the club's ongoing commitment to "driving football performance, improving strategic direction and progression both on and off the pitch".
Following the reshuffle, the club's leadership group is now made up of Anindya Bakrie, Grant Ferguson, Rudi Laksmana, Dusan Bogdanovic and Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth.
Oxford are owned by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir who increased his controlling stake in the club in November last year.
He completed a takeover of the club in 2022 and at the time was part of a group that held a controlling 51% stake.
Last season Oxford were relegated from the Championship after two seasons in the second tier, finishing 22nd in the table and four points adrift of 21st.
Oxford owner 'clearly paying full attention' - analysis
BBC Radio Oxford's Oxford United commentator Jerome Sale:
Grant Ferguson's tenure as chairman ends with the team back where it started - in League One - but the club is now closer to realising its longer-term ambitions.
It now has planning permission for a new stadium that would make it more viable if and when they return to the Championship - they were ahead of schedule when promoted in 2024.
Like his replacement, the Scot is based in the far East and the new dynamic involving Dusan Bogdanovic will be interesting.
A Serbian-born sports executive in Indonesia, who played to a decent level in Europe - will he be more hands-on?
The owner Erick Thohir is clearly paying full attention to the club and that should be a very positive thing, though there will doubtless be some unease inside and outside the club when it comes to change of this sort.
Also joining the board is Rudi Laksmana who has been associated with United since 2022 when Mr Thohir upped his stake in the club.
He has previously been on the board at Inter Milan under Thohir's ownership.
