Oxford united FC
Oxford United new chairman Dusan Bogdanovic breaks silence
United announced changes to their leadership structure as Ferguson stepped down as chair.
Two new names were appointed, with Bogdanovic announced as Ferguson’s replacement and former Inter Milan board member Rudi Laksmana joining the U’s board.
Little has been revealed about the two new additions, but it is understood that Bogdanovic is a former football agent in Indonesia and Asia and has represented The U’s Indonesian youngster Marselino Ferdinan.
Serbian national Bogdanovic was most recently CEO of Indonesian club Garudayaksa’s foundation and already had a relationship with Yellows owner Erick Thohir having been pictured with him in December 2024 alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
New Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic pictured here with U’s owner Erick Thohir and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in December 2024. 🤝
(via @dusan.ph on Instagram) #oufc 🟡https://t.co/hnkQLRsx5e pic.twitter.com/1Rylrf07Lu
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) May 6, 2026
The new chair has now spoken for the first time since his appointment on Wednesday.
In a post on LinkedIn, Bogdanovic said: “I am honoured to take on the role of chairman of Oxford United Football Club , a club with proud heritage, deep community roots and enormous potential.
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“To be part of the Oxford United story is a privilege and I approach this responsibility with confidence, ambition and respect for everyone who has helped build this club. My focus will be on strengthening the foundations, supporting football development at every level and helping create a future that our supporters, players, staff and community can be proud of.
“Oxford United is a club with history, identity and passion. Now, together, we have the opportunity to build something even greater. I am fully committed to giving this role the energy, leadership and vision it deserves.”
The leadership group at The U’s now consists of Ferguson, Bogdanovic, Laksmana, Anindya Bakrie, and Sumrith “Tiger” Thanakarnjanasuth.
Departing chairman Ferguson will remain on the board at Oxford after four years as chair and has also posted publicly since the changes.
In response to the Joey Beauchamp Foundation’s post thanking the former chair, Ferguson said: “It has been a pleasure and I am proud to have played a small part in getting the foundation up and running and see you all develop it into something special.”
Replying to the Oxford United in the Community chair of trustees, Jem Faulkner, Ferguson said: “I am proud of the work we did together to properly integrate OUiTC as a key part of OUFC.
“The dedication that you and all at OUiTC have to the community programmes is a credit to the Club and of enduring benefit to Oxfordshire.”
Oxford look ahead to a summer of preparation for League One after suffering relegation from the Championship last term.
The Tottenham Hotspur youngster’s sweet second strike against Sheffield Wednesday has seen him selected for the April award.
After flicking home a neat opening goal in a 4-1 win over The Owls, Lankshear doubled his and his side’s tally when he picked up the ball inside the attacking half, took a clever touch inside, and whipped the ball into the top right corner from outside the penalty area.
In The U’s final home game of the Championship season, the 21-year-old said goodbye to the United faithful in style before returning to Premier League club Spurs this week.
Lankshear is up against Coventry City’s Frank Onyeka, Ipswich Town’s Kasey McAteer, and Charlton Athletic’s Charlie Kelman for the monthly accolade.
After joining on loan last summer, the English centre forward gradually became a fan favourite at the Kassam Stadium due to his exemplary performances and attitude.
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Lankshear was The Yellows’ Golden Boot winner this season with 12 goals in all competitions whilst playing in a struggling side that were relegated to League One.
He also scooped up the Young Player of the Year award at Oxford’s awards night in April.
The U’s finished 22nd in the Championship and will play in League One next season.
Buckingham will lead Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood into the King Cup of Champions final against Al Hilal.
Al Hilal harbour a squad of big names in world football, none other than 2022 Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid hero Karim Benzema.
The World Cup runner-up plays alongside other global stars such as former Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo and ex-Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
Ex-Oxford boss Buckingham’s squad is not graced with the same stardom as their opponents but possess a duo of Englishmen in former Nottingham Forest youngster Adam Berry and ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder John Buckley.
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Al-Kholood beat Benzema’s former side Al-Ittihad on penalties in the semi-final and go into the final as underdogs against former Inter Milan manager and Italy stiker Simone Inzaghi’s Blue Waves.
The match will be a big test for Buckingham who is looking to seal a fairytale story and win a first major title for his club in their 56 years of existence.
Al-Kholood are currently 14th in the 18-team Saudi Pro League.
The 41-year-old coach previously led The U’s to promotion to the Championship for the first time in over two decades via the League One play-offs.
Buckingham was surprisingly sacked in December of the following season and replaced by Gary Rowett.
Bogdanovic takes the wheel after, it is understood, he was chief executive officer of Indonesian club Garudayaksa’s foundation and already had a relationship with U’s owner Erick Thohir.
The two were pictured with each other alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino in December 2024.
Ferguson, who was chairman at Oxford for four years and enjoyed promotion to the Championship in that period, will remain at the club as a member of the board and is joined by another new name in Rudi Laksmana.
Laksmana, it is understood, is another Indonesian figure who was on the board at Italian giants Inter Milan, as was Ferguson before joining Oxford.
With questions around the reasoning for reshuffling and new appointments still lingering, fans have reacted to the recent news.
The Oxford United Supporters Trust, OxVox, posted a statement on X on Thursday morning which read: “Thank you to Grant Ferguson for everything he has done as chairman over the past four years, guiding the development of Oxford United on and off the pitch.
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“We are seeking talks with the club to understand the detail behind this decision and to hear the vision for the future with the new board.”
The club have remained tight-lipped on any further information than what was said in Wednesday’s statement.
New Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic pictured here with U’s owner Erick Thohir and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in December 2024. 🤝
(via @dusan.ph on Instagram) #oufc 🟡https://t.co/hnkQLRsx5e pic.twitter.com/1Rylrf07Lu
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) May 6, 2026
“These appointments reflect Oxford United’s continued focus on strengthening its leadership, governance and long-term planning,” read the statement on the club’s website.
The appointments of the new chair and Laksmana of an ‘ongoing commitment to driving football performance, improving strategic direction and progression both on and off the pitch’, say the club.
Jem Faulkner, chair of trustees at Oxford United in the Community, stated: “Very disappointed to hear that Grant Ferguson is stepping down as chairman at Oxford United.
“A good man. Intelligent, calm, great with people and a real friend to Oxford United in the Community.
“I sincerely hope his board role lets him continue to play an active and influential role in our club.”
One fan was sceptical about the new arrivals, saying: “Not convinced with the new chairman, some guy who’s been a CEO at a second division Indonesian team and ‘brings bags of experience’.”
Another commented: “As a season ticket holder for years, I have absolutely no idea who actually controls this club. I’m actually worried for our future.”
The Oxford Mail is aiming to find out more on the story and will continue to post updates regarding the new appointments as they come.
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