Kelvin Thomas feels that Chris Wilder’s name should be linked to almost any Football League job that becomes available.

The Oxford United chairman says the job Wilder has done means that he has to come into consideration whenever a vacancy crops up.

But he is determined that the U’s boss will go nowhere.

“Obviously it’s great news that he has a three-year contract here,” Thomas said.

“It gives the club that security, but also shows how much we believe in him.

“With what he has achieved so far, and what he continues to do, I would have thought that any club, even in much higher divisions, looking for a new manager, would mention his name.

“We obviously don’t want that, but I think it shows what a good job he is doing.”

Thomas added: “When we were looking for a manager, there were just so many things right about him.

“And you can’t help but be impressed with what he has done here.

“There’s hardly a player that he doesn’t know about, the amount of games he goes to is frightening.”

The relationship between the chairman and manager is one of the closest in the game.

“I think we get on so well as in the early stages we were both commuting and stayed in the same hotel,” Thomas added.

“But we certainly have a very positive relationship.

“I discuss some off-field matters with Chris and let him into that side, and he is happy to talk to me openly about the football side – so we definitely both work well together.

“While I am here, we will never get carried away and try and buy our way up the leagues, and put the club in jeopardy,” stressed United’s chairman.

“We will do things properly, Chris knows that and appreciates that – and is obviously a massive part of what we’re doing here.”