Twenty years ago, Copa Libertadores-winning manager Ramon Diaz arrived at fourth-tier Oxford United with a seven-man Argentine entourage. Owner Firoz Kassam, living in Monaco, hired the former River Plate boss via a contact to steer the club away from relegation. Players were stunned by the sudden arrival of a South American coaching staff who barely spoke English, creating an immediate culture shock at the Kassam Stadium.

Diaz and his team, including assistant Jean Marc Goiran, revolutionized training with a high-pressing, possession-based style that felt years ahead of its time in League Two. Players bought into the fresh philosophy, which saw Diaz win Manager of the Month in January 2005 after a four-game winning streak. The squad responded to the hands-on approach, enjoying a brief resurgence that brought excitement back to a struggling club.

Despite the early promise, the experiment ended abruptly after just six months. Diaz never worked in England again and is now managing Corinthians in Brazil. The club eventually signed a few Argentine players, including cult hero Mateo Corbo, but the grand Premier League project fizzled out. Oxford ultimately reverted to more traditional management, leaving a fascinating 'what if' story in their history.