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Oxford United Confirms Board and Chair Update | Oxford United Football Club

Oxford United can confirm changes to its Board, with the appointment of two directors and a new Chair.
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Oxford United Football Club has confirmed changes to its Board, with the appointment of Rudi Laksmana and Dusan Bogdanovic as directors, effective immediately.

As part of the changes, Dusan Bogdanovic has been appointed Chair, succeeding Grant Ferguson, who steps down from the role after four years but will remain on the Board. The Club thanks Grant for his leadership and contribution during a period of significant progress.

The appointments reflect Oxford United’s continued focus on strengthening leadership, governance and long‑term strategy as the Club looks positively to the future.

Following these changes, the Board comprises Anindya Bakrie, Grant Ferguson, Rudi Laksmana, Dusan Bogdanovic (Chair) and Sumrith “Tiger” Thanakarnjanasuth.

Who is Dusan Bogdanovic - New Chairman
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​
Dusan Bogdanovic is an international sports executive and football‑industry specialist with extensive experience across club governance, player representation and strategic sports management.

Bogdanovic has built his career in professional football management, having held senior roles with sports agencies and management groups operating across Europe and Asia. He has worked as Head of Sports at Level Up Asia and later as Owner/CEO of Level Up Asia, overseeing football‑related commercial strategy, player pathways and partnerships.

He has also served in executive positions at SB Sport Agency and Playerhunter Indonesia, organisations involved in player representation, talent development and club services, giving him hands‑on experience across recruitment, performance structures and football operations.

Bogdanovic is a multi‑lingual executive educated in business management and sports business, including study at the Sports Business Institute in Barcelona, strengthening his governance, commercial and regulatory expertise within elite sport.

Who is Rudi Laksmana
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​
Rudi Laksmana is an Indonesian business executive with extensive experience in media, finance and corporate governance. He is a senior leader within Mahaka Group, a major Indonesian media and investment group of which Erick Thohir is the founder.

He has been involved as a director of Oxford Park Developments Limited, the company connected to Oxford United training ground and infrastructure projects.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Toe knee said:
There's no doubt we will get sold one day ,just like
Inter Milan & DC United...
If you have sold a brand new stadium in America, & one of the biggest clubs in Europe/ world, what chance has
Little old Oxford United got 🤷🏼‍♂️ ???
Click to expand...
Mercifully, will be after the stadium is built though. And when we are financially viable and profitable.
If he walked now we would be up the creek.
 
wonder if the powers that be will decide to hold a shareholders agm this year , given the changes at board level?

after all it has been a few years since the club last held a shareholders agm
 
Boris said:
I think you'll find that Thohir's involvement will start to get progressively less, especially financially
Click to expand...
I really can't think of any reason why that would be the case. He has installed two of his associates, one as chair and the other as a director. He is clearly adding weight to his position as the major shareholder and financier of the club. Why make such a statement if you are about to pull out? The stadium is going to require his involvement and the club represents his desire for footballing success. If anything, I can see him getting more hands on, through his representatives, to ensure that his name is part of the success he so obviously craves.
 
SteMerritt said:
Well they had better take us up automatically then, as we would have no chance in any sort of play-offs...
Click to expand...
Which would you rather, going up via playoffs but never winning a major trophy other than just once a long time ago, or sporadic form but still winning one every other decade?

I can promise you, with one of my lot at the helm, we'd be going on a journey.
 
yellowbow said:
Anyone else think it would’ve been nice for our new chairman to directly address the fanbase?

Maybe outline his vision and plans going forward, and give a little clarity on why he has been installed as chair and what his attributes and experience will bring?
Click to expand...
Perhaps we'll get that in the next matchday programme notes... ⏰👀
 
Hard to make any judgements at this stage but the appointments do feel very much like Thohir yes-men. On one hand it's positive that Thohir is still invested but on the other I do really worry that there is a lack of English football league knowledge at the top of the club.

It took me a while to warm to Grant, but I gradually came to value his calm and assured approach. He was also a good communicator (on the whole) and I generally felt he was good at keeping the ship on course. As others have expressed, my major gripe with him was that he wasn't here enough.

I have a feeling it will be an interesting period for the club now. I will worry if we see any more Indonesia-linked players join as that experiment has already failed. With Mitchell departing I am starting to wonder if Ed and Bloomfield might follow.
 
I wonder if Thohir’s reached his limit/is uncomfortable of the rising debt vs his personal liquidity? Bakrie MK2?

Reduced spending or new investors to share the burden?
 
yellowbow said:
Anyone else think it would’ve been nice for our new chairman to directly address the fanbase?

Maybe outline his vision and plans going forward, and give a little clarity on why he has been installed as chair and what his attributes and experience will bring?
Click to expand...
This is what’s making me most uneasy.

He’s our new Chairman and it’s been announced like he is taking on a the role of Olly the Ox. The CV that’s provided is vague, and a quick google of him suggests that he’s just an agent who happens to be friends with our owner. And the agent of a player we bought who clearly was miles beneath the necessary standard and whose only value was in social media followers. And he’s now in charge of running the club?

I’m pretty shocked to see how many people on here aren’t alarmed by all of this. Losing Ferguson is no great loss, although he’s a decent enough guy who comes nowhere near the levels of incompetence of some others, but he became complicit in that incompetence with the stance he took at the fans forum. Rather than holding people to account for their errors he either decided to cover for them, or ignorantly believe them.

I can’t see for the life of me what Bogdanovic has done to warrant this position though. If people think Waldron is under qualified for his role, then what the hell does that make this guy?

Hopefully we hear more about him in the coming days, and hear his vision for the club too. If not then I have no idea what’s going on but the alarm bells in my head are deafening.
 
Boris said:
I think you'll find that Thohir's involvement will start to get progressively less, especially financially
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're saying here.

I'm sure we'll see less of Erick in person in the UK. His 'little pet project' (which is also a useful relationship with the Bakries within Indonesia's ruling cartel) has run off the tracks and I doubt very much that he enjoyed either the act of relegation or (I suspect) the discovery of some unapproved business practices / culture; that can be placed at one person's door.

Therefore he replaced "the all-purpose acceptable face in white countries" with an active management team that has the brief to make the club behave more like a top-30 club. I believe the Serb is one of Erick's enforcers and Laksmana's the Serb's expert and authority. Tim Williams had better (as I already said somewhere) get his shit together pronto as he's currently the designated can-carrier. I take the departure of the recruitment guy as part of the discovery process rather than an early symptom of the recovery plan.

So yeah, we'll be seeing less of Erick in person.

I don't think there'll be be much of a change financially, he's probably not best pleased that we've got re-achieve what Des achieved against the odds 3 seasons ago but he'll make it good, hopefully those responsible will be corrected :)

All good, hardly unexpected.
 
The Mighty Aldo said:
The major problem I see here is that the new board members are not uk based
Not saying that was the reason we struggled this year but if you are around the club most days you get a better feel of what is required and act quickly
Click to expand...
You mean like Grant? 😅
 
yellowbow said:
Anyone else think it would’ve been nice for our new chairman to directly address the fanbase?

Maybe outline his vision and plans going forward, and give a little clarity on why he has been installed as chair and what his attributes and experience will bring?
Click to expand...
He was announced yesterday.
I would think that we will hear soon what the plans are.
Maybe give a little bit of time?

I reckon that Thohir will want the stadium built and will want us in the Championship in the next couple of years ( next season could be easiest). So whilst there is a lack of clarity at the moment, I would think that the changes gave been made in response to the failure to stay up and that the plan will be to get back up

With the released list, ST announcement presumably coming up relatively soon, we should know a lot more soon.
 
Emilio said:
Whose decision are you suggesting that might be, Ed and Bloomers wanting to evacuate, or the new board wanting to bring in someone new?
Click to expand...

Hopefully Waldron will be next, I’d be less keen for Bloomfield to depart but no one should be surprised if we have some unknown Serb in the dugout come August. Mini Watford vibes here. Didn’t RO suggest Ferguson didn’t want us to be seen as a sacking club regarding the future of Bloomfield ? Since that came out, about a week ago, Mitchell is departing, Ferguson himself has stepped down and two new appointments.
 
Then morning after has me a little bit more negative than yesterday. Precious little can be mined online about these two new board members .


Laksmana is not a "frontman" in the traditional sense; rather, he is the executive brought in to manage the machinery of large organizations, He's here for Thohir and not for Oxford United.

Did some Gemini Digging.

  • The Trusted Lieutenant: His career is almost inextricably linked to Erick Thohir’s business empire. Whenever Thohir acquires a major asset (Inter Milan, Oxford United, Mahaka Media), Laksmana is typically appointed to the board to provide financial oversight and ensure the owner's interests are protected.



  • Efficiency & Transformation: His recent role at Mahaka X (formerly Mahaka Media) involved overseeing a major digital transformation. His "working style" leans toward corporate governance and modernization—moving traditional media assets into the tech and digital space.
  • Dual-Sector Expertise: He bridges the gap between high finance (with his background in investment banking at RHB OSK) and operational sports management.


More relevant I guess is his relationship with the fans of Indonesia's biggest Basketball team. Satria Muda Pertamina Jakarta, known collectively as the "Satria Muda Army," are widely recognized as one of the most passionate and dedicated fanbases in Indonesian basketball.


The "Satria Muda Army" Vibe​

  • Passion and Loyalty: The fanbase is known for creating an "electrifying atmosphere" at games, providing a significant home-court advantage. They are described as co-creators of the club's culture rather than just consumers.
    High Expectations: Because Satria Muda is arguably the most successful club in Indonesian history, the fans have a "winning mentality" and expect nothing less than championship contention every season.



    Perception of Rudi LaksmanaWhile individual fan polls are rare, Laksmana's standing with the supporters is generally defined by the following factors:
  • The "Architect of Stability": Among the Satria Muda Army, Laksmana is viewed as a steady hand behind the scenes. While Erick Thohir is the high-profile face of the ownership, Laksmana is respected for managing the day-to-day resources that allow the team to remain a "powerhouse."
  • Professionalism over Personality: Fans tend to view him through the lens of the team's results. Because Satria Muda consistently sets the standard for professionalism and player development, Laksmana is seen as a successful executive who avoids the "drama" often found in sports management.
  • Trusted Custodian: There is a sense of trust because he is an "insider" within the Mahaka ecosystem. For a fanbase that values the club's legacy, having a long-term director who understands the team's identity is a major positive.

Community Engagement​

The relationship isn't just about winning; the fans appreciate that under Laksmana’s leadership, the club has:

  • Actively engaged in community outreach and grassroots programs.
  • Maintained a strong digital presence, allowing fans to feel connected to the team's strategic decisions.
  • Consistently recruited top-tier talent, which satisfies the fans' desire for a dominant roster.




    In summary, the fans may not chant his name in the stands like they do for the players, but there is a deep-seated professional respect for him as the man who keeps the "Satria Muda machine" running at peak performance.
 
dickwalton1964 said:
Hopefully Waldron will be next
Click to expand...
Yes, in light of a Jakarta based Serbian agent who has never worked in English football before being appointed as our Chairman and our Head of Recruitment moving on, let's sack a guy who has worked at the club for the best part of a decade, and was in post when we won a promotion out of this league, and let the new Chairman appoint a new guy to run the day to day football operations. Maybe he should be based in Indonesia too?
 
tatabanya said:
Yes, in light of a Jakarta based Serbian agent who has never worked in English football before being appointed as our Chairman and our Head of Recruitment moving on, let's sack a guy who has worked at the club for the best part of a decade, and was in post when we won a promotion out of this league, and let the new Chairman appoint a new guy to run the day to day football operations. Maybe he should be based in Indonesia too?
Click to expand...
Team full of Ferdinan's, all we need is a team full of Ferdinan's
 
Now for the Gemini Detective to let loose on Dusan

Following the appointment of Dusan Bogdanovic as the new Chairman of Oxford United on May 6, 2026, a "detective’s deep dive" reveals a figure who is the definition of a high-level sporting intermediary—connected, strategically placed, and largely operating in the "broker" space between Asia and Europe.




Here is the investigation into his background, his methods, and the risks/rewards he brings to the U's.

1. The Dossier: Who is Dusan Bogdanovic?​

Unlike the famous Serbian guitarist of the same name, this Dusan Bogdanovic is a veteran of the football industry who specializes in the nexus between Indonesian capital and European infrastructure.

  • The Power Broker: He has spent years as a prominent football agent and executive in Indonesia. He is the CEO of the Garudayaksa Academy, a prestigious Indonesian foundation that recently saw its team win promotion to the top tier of Indonesian football.



  • The Agent Roots: He is closely associated with Level Up Asia, an agency representing high-profile Indonesian talent like Marselino Ferdinan. This background is critical: it means he isn't just an "executive"; he is a man who knows the transfer market, player values, and contract negotiations from the inside out.



  • The "Inner Circle": He is a trusted associate of Erick Thohir (Oxford owner and President of the Indonesian FA). He has been seen in high-level meetings with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, suggesting he moves in the highest circles of global football politics.


2. The Positives: Why he was chosen​

Bogdanovic isn't just a figurehead; he is an "operational" Chairman brought in to fix specific issues following Oxford's relegation.

  • Deep Football Intelligence: Unlike many chairmen who come from pure finance (like his predecessor Grant Ferguson), Bogdanovic speaks the language of the locker room and the scouting department. His agent background gives him a "nose" for talent and market value.
  • Direct Pipeline to the Owner: His appointment signals that Erick Thohir wants "his guy" on the ground. This often leads to faster decision-making and more direct access to the owner's investment funds.
  • Governance Specialist: Despite being an agent, he is credited with professionalizing the Garudayaksa Academy, turning it into a successful competitive entity. He is seen as someone who can build a "football factory" rather than just a club.

3. The Negatives & Risks: The Detective's Concerns​

Any thorough investigation must look at the potential friction points.

  • The "Agent" Conflict: In English football, fans are often wary of "agent-heavy" club leadership (similar to the Jorge Mendes/Wolves relationship). There is always a concern that the club might be used as a shop window for specific agencies or players rather than focusing on the local community.
  • Remote Perception: While he has "extensive experience," much of it is in the Asian and Eastern European markets. He will need to prove he understands the unique, gritty reality of League One and the English "football pyramid," which is notoriously difficult for outsiders to navigate.
  • Replacing a "Safe" Pair of Hands: Grant Ferguson was generally respected for guiding the club through promotion. Replacing him after a relegation puts Bogdanovic under immediate pressure—if the club doesn't bounce back instantly, the "Indonesian takeover" narrative could turn from supportive to skeptical.


4. Financial State & Popularity​

  • Wealth: Bogdanovic does not have "tycoon" level wealth like Thohir or Bakrie, but he is independently successful through his agency and executive roles. He is at Oxford to manage money, not necessarily to provide it.
  • Vibe Check: Currently, he is a mystery to the average Oxford fan. He is seen as a "serious professional," but he lacks the local "vibe" that many English fanbases crave. He is a corporate-athletic hybrid—well-dressed, articulate, and focused on "strategic direction."

Final Verdict​

Status: The "Clinical Rebuilder."

Dusan Bogdanovic is not a sentimental choice. He is a surgical choice. Following relegation, the owners have moved away from "stewardship" (Ferguson) and toward "football operations" (Bogdanovic). He is there to ensure that every pound spent on players is efficient and that the club’s scouting network expands globally.

The Detective's Summary: Watch the summer transfer window. If Oxford begins signing high-value young talent from overlooked markets (Asia/Eastern Europe), that is the "Bogdanovic Effect." He is a man who builds systems, not just teams.
Click to expand...
 
Final Q, what about them as a duo:

This is where the "detective work" gets interesting. The relationship between Dusan Bogdanovic and Rudi Laksmana isn't just a coincidence of two new board members; it is a calculated "Double Pivot" by the owner, Erick Thohir, to reset the club after relegation.

Think of them as a two-man task force with very different, but complementary, skill sets.

1. The Dynamic: "The Scout" vs. "The Auditor"​

While they are now colleagues on the Oxford United board, their backgrounds suggest a "Check and Balance" relationship:

  • Dusan Bogdanovic (The New Chairman): He is the football operator. His background as a high-level agent (Level Up Asia) and CEO of the Garudayaksa Academy means he knows how to find players, negotiate contracts, and navigate the "dark arts" of the transfer market. He is there to fix the product on the pitch.



  • Rudi Laksmana (The Director): He is the financial strategist. With his background at Mahaka X and Inter Milan, he is the "money man." His job is to ensure that whatever Bogdanovic wants to do in the transfer market is financially sustainable and aligned with the owner's long-term corporate vision.

2. The Investigation: Positives vs. Negatives​

The Positives (The "Dream Team" Argument)​

  • The "Thohir Trust": Both men are in Erick Thohir’s innermost circle. This is a massive positive for Oxford because it suggests the owner isn't just "paying attention"—he’s deploying his most trusted generals.
  • Proven Track Record of Success: Just weeks before joining Oxford, Bogdanovic’s Garudayaksa Academy team won promotion to the Indonesian Super League. He knows how to get teams promoted.



  • The Marselino Factor: Bogdanovic is the agent for Marselino Ferdinan, one of Asia's brightest young stars who already plays for Oxford. Having the player's agent as the Club Chairman is an unconventional but powerful way to ensure the club remains a destination for top global prospects.


The Negatives (The "Conflict of Interest" Argument)​

  • The Agent Conflict: This is the biggest red flag for fans. In the UK, a Chairman who is also a high-profile agent can lead to accusations of "using the club" to park his own clients or favor certain deals. Oxford fans will be watching to see if the recruitment stays objective.
  • Relegation Pressure: Replacing Grant Ferguson—who was seen as a "steady hand" and helped the club get planning permission for a new stadium—with two overseas-based executives is a gamble. If the "Indonesian duo" doesn't produce an immediate promotion push, the "local vs. global" tension could become a major issue.
  • The "Inter Milan" Shadow: Both Laksmana and Thohir have Inter Milan on their resumes. While prestigious, Inter’s financial history under Thohir was famously "complex." Fans will want to ensure Oxford’s finances remain transparent and simple.

3. The Deepest Connection: The "FIFA Photo"​

In a "detective" deep dive, the most telling piece of evidence is a photo from December 2024. Bogdanovic was pictured with Erick Thohir and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.




Detective's Insight: You don't get in that photo unless you are a major player in the global game. Bogdanovic isn't just a "local agent"; he is a diplomat for Indonesian football interests on the world stage.
Click to expand...

4. The Vibe on the Ground​

The current mood in Oxford is "Nervous Excitement."

  • The Negative Vibe: Fans are grieving the relegation and are wary of "outsiders" who might not understand the cold Tuesday nights in League One.
  • The Positive Vibe: There is a sense that the "shackles are off." By appointing a "football man" (Bogdanovic) as Chairman instead of a "corporate man," the owners are signaling that they are going to spend and scout aggressively to get back to the Championship.

Final Verdict​

Bogdanovic and Laksmana have been sent to Oxford to perform a "Hard Reset."

  • Bogdanovic will handle the scouting, the manager, and the players.
  • Laksmana will handle the books, the stadium strategy, and the corporate synergy.
The Risk: It looks like a "corporate takeover" of a community club.The Reward: It brings "Champions League level" executive experience to the third tier of English football.
 
SwissYellow said:
Final Q, what about them as a duo:

This is where the "detective work" gets interesting. The relationship between Dusan Bogdanovic and Rudi Laksmana isn't just a coincidence of two new board members; it is a calculated "Double Pivot" by the owner, Erick Thohir, to reset the club after relegation.

Think of them as a two-man task force with very different, but complementary, skill sets.

1. The Dynamic: "The Scout" vs. "The Auditor"​

While they are now colleagues on the Oxford United board, their backgrounds suggest a "Check and Balance" relationship:

  • Dusan Bogdanovic (The New Chairman): He is the football operator. His background as a high-level agent (Level Up Asia) and CEO of the Garudayaksa Academy means he knows how to find players, negotiate contracts, and navigate the "dark arts" of the transfer market. He is there to fix the product on the pitch.



  • Rudi Laksmana (The Director): He is the financial strategist. With his background at Mahaka X and Inter Milan, he is the "money man." His job is to ensure that whatever Bogdanovic wants to do in the transfer market is financially sustainable and aligned with the owner's long-term corporate vision.

2. The Investigation: Positives vs. Negatives​

The Positives (The "Dream Team" Argument)​

  • The "Thohir Trust": Both men are in Erick Thohir’s innermost circle. This is a massive positive for Oxford because it suggests the owner isn't just "paying attention"—he’s deploying his most trusted generals.
  • Proven Track Record of Success: Just weeks before joining Oxford, Bogdanovic’s Garudayaksa Academy team won promotion to the Indonesian Super League. He knows how to get teams promoted.



  • The Marselino Factor: Bogdanovic is the agent for Marselino Ferdinan, one of Asia's brightest young stars who already plays for Oxford. Having the player's agent as the Club Chairman is an unconventional but powerful way to ensure the club remains a destination for top global prospects.

The Negatives (The "Conflict of Interest" Argument)​

  • The Agent Conflict: This is the biggest red flag for fans. In the UK, a Chairman who is also a high-profile agent can lead to accusations of "using the club" to park his own clients or favor certain deals. Oxford fans will be watching to see if the recruitment stays objective.
  • Relegation Pressure: Replacing Grant Ferguson—who was seen as a "steady hand" and helped the club get planning permission for a new stadium—with two overseas-based executives is a gamble. If the "Indonesian duo" doesn't produce an immediate promotion push, the "local vs. global" tension could become a major issue.
  • The "Inter Milan" Shadow: Both Laksmana and Thohir have Inter Milan on their resumes. While prestigious, Inter’s financial history under Thohir was famously "complex." Fans will want to ensure Oxford’s finances remain transparent and simple.

3. The Deepest Connection: The "FIFA Photo"​

In a "detective" deep dive, the most telling piece of evidence is a photo from December 2024. Bogdanovic was pictured with Erick Thohir and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.





4. The Vibe on the Ground​

The current mood in Oxford is "Nervous Excitement."

  • The Negative Vibe: Fans are grieving the relegation and are wary of "outsiders" who might not understand the cold Tuesday nights in League One.
  • The Positive Vibe: There is a sense that the "shackles are off." By appointing a "football man" (Bogdanovic) as Chairman instead of a "corporate man," the owners are signaling that they are going to spend and scout aggressively to get back to the Championship.

Final Verdict​

Bogdanovic and Laksmana have been sent to Oxford to perform a "Hard Reset."

  • Bogdanovic will handle the scouting, the manager, and the players.
  • Laksmana will handle the books, the stadium strategy, and the corporate synergy.
The Risk: It looks like a "corporate takeover" of a community club.The Reward: It brings "Champions League level" executive experience to the third tier of English football.
Click to expand...

When it's put like this it's *almost* reassuring...
 
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