Oxford United manager Liam Manning admitted that the future around the stadium wasn't a major part of his discussions with the owners when joining the club.
The club’s licence agreement at the Kassam Stadium runs out in 2026 but asked if stadium plans formed a key part of the club's pitch to Manning when joining the club, the manager responded by saying "it wasn’t a massive one that we spoke loads about".
On Tuesday (September 19), Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet voted to lease ‘The Triangle’, east of Frieze Way and south of Kidlington Roundabout, in a milestone moment in the future of the club.
Planning approval is still required to build a new stadium but United's chief strategy officer Niall McWilliams revealed the club are looking to submit an application in the autumn months.
The U's boss went on to add he was more focused on the people who were behind the process and whether they matched his beliefs.
Liam Manning said: "It wasn’t a massive one that we spoke loads about, I was aware of it and we had discussions on it but I think in terms of the biggest thing for me was the people that are driving it than the actual outcome itself.
"When you look at the board, the owners, the major shareholders and Grant Ferguson you have got a group of people that are driving it for real genuine reasons.
"For me when I talk a lot around culture, people and values, I think that was really evident in the work they are now doing to try and safeguard the long term of the club and doing what is right for the long term of the club.
"I have a real duty of care whilst I am in this privileged position to work for the short term, the medium term and the long term beyond me.
"That is so important and ultimately try and leave the club in a better place than we found it."
The United manager added that everyone in the playing and coaching staff is "delighted" by the news of the leasehold sale of the land.
He said: "It was terrific news, you see bits behind the scenes with a huge amount of work from people the fans might not know about behind the scenes to get everything in a place that got us the great news that we had on Tuesday.
"It is not something on the day-to-day that we are massively involved in but Grant and Tim Williams do a terrific job of feeding back updates and news of where things are at so of course it’s so important for the club and while we are here as custodians of the club it is something we have to do the utmost to support.
"The players and staff are obviously aware and know about it, and everyone is delighted this first small positive step in what is going to be a long challenge but for the future of the club a really exciting journey we hope."