IAN Lenagan says he tested Chris Wilder for three months before deciding to retain him as Oxford United manager for next season.

Mounting speculation over the 45-year-old U’s boss’s future was ended yesterday with the announcement he had signed a new 12-month contract – a move unanimously backed by the board.

Lenagan acknowledged the news would not be universally welcomed, estimating as many as half the supporters were hoping for a change following a season where the team have fallen short of the League Two play-offs.

The United chairman admitted he had seriously considered wielding the axe during the lowest point of the campaign, when the team suffered six successive league defeats.

He said it would have an easier move to make than keeping him, but after weighing up the pros and cons, Lenagan is convinced Wilder is the best man to put in place the long-term plans he has for the club.

“Chris and I have been talking for three months now,” he said.

“I’ve been testing Chris’s mettle for whether the changes that we feel are necessary can be brought about.

“I gave serious thought to making a change last autumn.

"You have to when you hit rocky times and particularly when you get so many people making the comment, but I would not be doing the job that I’m entrusted with, if I was going to listen to what are understandable, but in my opinion wrong, views.

“I come back to the rational argument that says Chris Wilder is an excellent young manager who has had a bad 15 months.

“He’s had to suffer the consequences of selecting players wrongly two years ago in terms of physical characteristics.

“He’s had to learn sports science and bringing the youth through, but he’s learnt those lessons and he’s probably 30 per cent better than he was 12 months ago.”

Lenagan had made a top-seven finish the clear aim before the season began, but he felt there have been mitigating circumstances for failing to hit the target.

Injuries to key players have been a major factor and have held United back to such an extent the chairman felt reaching the top seven this season would have been a “remarkable achievement”.

An intention to avoid a repeat next season, along with a reluctance to gamble on bringing in a replacement, also played a part in the decision.

Lenagan said: “I would rather have an improved Chris Wilder, even better next year, than take the risk of going out to choose somebody on an interview process who may or may not succeed.

“I think we are within reach of success.

“It’s been a terrible year for the fans, but when you look at the reasons behind that and injuries, no matter what you say, play a major part in that.

“Sure, Chris recruited some of those people and perhaps he didn’t choose the robust people that he will choose this time.

“I think Chris will be a much better manager next year and that’s what we want.”