DES Buckingham admits the opportunity has been presented to him to leave Oxford United, but his commitment to the U’s is unwavering.

United’s head coach has been tenuously linked with jobs in the aftermath of the club’s promotion via the Sky Bet League One play-offs in May.

Such success, especially combined with the impressive start made in the Championship, means such rumours and interest are natural.

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Answering supporter questions on BBC Radio Oxford’s The Dub podcast, Buckingham was asked whether he would still be the U’s boss at the end of the season.

He responded: “I don’t think that’s sometimes in my hands. I think I’m sitting just under the top third of managers still in their jobs when I was appointed last November, which shows how volatile this career path can be.

“What I will say is that certainly since Wembley, I’ve had the opportunity where other people were interested. They’re not of interest to me.

“I can never say never, it’s not the reality of the world we work.

“As long as you continually feel we’re going in the right direction that we set out to, and you continually feel that you’re wanted, and as long as we keep doing well in the first team space, then as long as I’m happy, I’m in a good space.

“That’s probably the best answer I can give to you without anything ever coming back to haunt me.

“I’m very happy with what I’m doing, I’m leading my local club, there’s been a chance to seek other things, which I’m certainly not interested in right now, and it’s making sure as long as you’re wanted and you’re enjoying your job, I’m happy.”

Buckingham added: “I want to coach at the highest level I can. I don’t know where that is right now, and I’m in no rush to do that.

“The fact this is now the highest level I have coached at, and the fact I’m doing that at my hometown club means a lot to me.

“If I can do that with my hometown club, I will continually try and do as much as I can to have as much success at this club as I can.

“I’ve never been one to look further forward than where I currently am. If you do that, you lose sight of what’s in front of your face.

“The one thing that’s got me here has been really concentrating on the job that I’m in, and trying to do the best job I can.

“That’s then opened up other opportunities to do something else, whether it was progressing within the CFG [City Football Group] or potential other moves, and you have to make a decision if you think it’s the right time, the right feel, whether you’re ready for it, and whether it’s the right thing to pursue.

“I want to coach at the highest level. That is what I’m doing right now. I’ve no plan, and if you said to me a club, would that be of interest, I honestly couldn’t answer you.”