The U’s parted ways with Bloomfield on Saturday ahead of the 2026/27 League One campaign after the 42-year-old failed to keep the club in the Championship last season.

The Englishman replaced Gary Rowett as head coach in January but, despite an upturn in results, could only manage a 22nd-placed finish in the second tier as the club were relegated.

Bloomfield’s dismissal is the third in under two years in OX4 after Des Buckingham’s sacking in December 2024 and Rowett’s in December 2025.

The timing of Bloomfield’s departure comes almost two months after the U’s last game of the season, with the players set to return for pre-season at the end of June.

Initial thoughts on Bloomfield’s departure-

Don’t know the full story, but feels like the reset button has been pushed, perhaps, given the recent board changes and now this.

New chairman, new manager and new league – a strong identity needs to be established. #oufc 🟡

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) June 20, 2026

Yellows fans have reacted with frustration and surprise at the dismissal.

In response to the club’s announcement on X, @benthompson2305 said: “Genuinely gutted and what terrible timing. We saw last season the impact of a disjointed pre-season, which we just can’t let happen again. Best of luck in the future Matt!”

Genuinely gutted and what terrible timing. We saw last season the impact of a disjointed pre-season, which we just can’t let happen again.

Best of luck in the future Matt! #oufc

— Ben Thompson (@benthompson2305) June 20, 2026

Matt Bloomfield shakes hands with Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert (Image: Jason Dawson)

Another supporter, @heyit5sam2 replied sarcastically: “Stupendous timing as always. Players back Thursday, first pre season game in a month’s time. In a season where we all know what the objective is. 5 managers in 3 years don’t look good.”

Many fans thought that, with pre-season just around the corner, Bloomfield would be given the opportunity to bounce back next season.

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The last time the former Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town boss managed in League One was in 2025 with the Chairboys in which he had them competing for automatic promotion.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield (left) and head of football operations Ed Waldron (right) (Image: Jason Dawson)

On X, @TomMRussell91 said: “This is mad, thought at least giving him a chance in League One.”

@andrew17taylor responded: “Absolutely farcical.”

Another supporter, @SueDavi59989906 said: “I thought MB had done a much better job with OUFC than Gary Rowett he had kept a more consistent team I hope this decision will not come back to haunt us next season!”

I thought MB had done a much better job with OUFC than Gary Rowett he had kept a more consistent team I hope this decision will not come back to haunt us next season !

— Sue Davies (@SueDavi59989906) June 20, 2026

On Facebook, one fan stated angrily: “On the face of it, absolutely stupid decision.

“How to mess up another pre-season and put us on the back foot for next term.

“If they were going to do it, should have been the day after the Millwall game.”

On the contrary, @VegasOx on X said: “Thank goodness, no way good enough, is [former Stockport County manager] Dave Challinor still available?”

@NeilSmythe added: “Let’s hope there’s a cunning plan behind this…”

Oxford have stated that the process of appointing a new head coach will begin immediately.

Bloomfield was appointed in January after the departure of Gary Rowett with the aim of keeping the U’s in the Championship.

Despite an upturn in form, Oxford were relegated to the third tier in 22nd place, along with Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

A statement from the club read: “Oxford United can confirm the departure of Matt Bloomfield as men’s first team head coach.

“Matt was appointed in January 2026 and oversaw the second half of the 2025/26 season, a campaign which ultimately ended in relegation to League One. Throughout his tenure, he represented Oxford United with professionalism and integrity.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield (left) and head of football operations Ed Waldron (right) (Image: Jason Dawson)

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“We would like to thank Matt for his efforts and wish him every success in the future.

“The process of appointing a new men’s first team head coach will begin immediately, and the club will provide updates in due course.”

United was Bloomfield’s fourth job in management and second in the Championship.

Matt Bloomfield celebrates terrific first Oxford United win (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

The 42-year-old began his coaching career with Colchester United after a long playing career with Wycombe Wanderers.

He then returned to the Chairboys in 2023, taking over from Gareth Ainsworth and had the Buckinghamshire side in the automatic play-off places in League One before jumping ship to second-tier outfit Luton Town in January 2025.

Bloomfield failed to keep the Hatters suffering back-to-back relegations, however, and was relieved of his duties in October of the following season, before taking over in OX4 three months later.

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The Englishman went his first three games unbeaten, with two draws and a win, before enduring his first defeat as Yellows boss at home against Birmingham City.

A tough run followed in February before the club’s fortunes turned on the final day of the month with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

The U’s won two more matches after that and put in consistently promising performances before faltering in the final four games, defeats to Derby County and Wrexham ultimately sealed the club’s fate.

Oxford won their final home game of the Championship season 4-1 against bottom-of-the-table Wednesday before losing 2-0 on the final day to third-placed Millwall.

The search for a new head coach begins immediately, say the club as it searches for its fourth manager in under two years.

Fixtures for the new EFL season are to be released on Thursday, June 25, with the players also reporting back from their holidays at the end of the month.

Bloomfield was the third boss to take charge of the U’s in the Championship after Des Buckingham guided them to promotion and Gary Rowett ensured first-season survival.

Head coaches have chopped and changed more recently over the past few years, reflected the current state of the modern game, so here is a look at what Oxford’s past five gaffers are doing now.

Gary Rowett (2024-2025)

After guiding United to second-tier survival in 2024/25, Rowett was sacked as manager last December.

The 52-year-old was given the task of keeping Championship rivals Leicester City in the division in February with a contract until the end of the season.

(Image: Mark Sale)

He has since had some work as a pundit, including on last season’s play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough.

Des Buckingham (2023-24)

Oxford-born Buckingham led the U’s to League One promotion via the play-offs in 2023/24 but was surprisingly sacked in December of the following season.

After eight months out of the game, the 41-year-old was appointed head coach of Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood.

He recently guided the club to the Kings Cup final for the first time ever, narrowly defeated at the hands of an Al Hilal side featuring former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

Former Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham (Image: Mike Allen)

Liam Manning (2023)

Manning took over in March 2023, the club ending the season 19th in League One.

A spectacular start to the following campaign saw United high up in second before Bristol City poached the impressive young coach in November.

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(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

The 40-year-old was most recently in charge of League One Huddersfield Town but left in May following a period of compassionate leave and is currently without employment.

Karl Robinson (2018-2023)

The longest serving of the quintet, Robinson was well-liked at Oxford.

He led the club to two play-off campaigns but suffered to defeat in the 2020 final to Matt Bloomfield-captained Wycombe Wanderers and lost in the semi-finals to Blackpool the following season.

Salford City manager Karl Robinson (left) gestures after the Sky Bet League Two play off semi-final (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)

The 45-year-old was sacked in early 2023 following a run of eight games without a win.

He was recently harshly let go by League Two side Salford City after a 3-0 defeat in the play-off final to Notts County and is out of work.

Pep Clotet (2017-2018)

The most recent foreign boss at the Kassam, Spaniard Clotet lasted just six months in OX4.

Former Oxford United head coach Pep Clotet (Image: David Fleming)

Relieved of his duties in January 2018, the Barcelona-born man could only manage a record of 12 wins from his 26 matches in charge.

Clotet is currently away from management, his last role being with Italian outfit Triestina where he astoundingly physically ‘attacked’ one of his own players after they were sent off in November 2024.

The 49-year-old was sacked later that month.