Oxford united FC
Oxford United’s Matt Bloomfield confident of job security
The U’s were relegated from the Championship last weekend after lunchtime results meant that Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion clawed themselves out of the reach of Bloomfield’s side.
Arriving in January, The Yellows’ boss helped the club to an upturn in form after a poor first half of the season under Gary Rowett.
A run of just one defeat in eight games was halted by defeats to Derby County and Wrexham, ultimately leading to Oxford’s relegation.
With one more Championship fixture remaining this weekend against promotion chasing Millwall, Bloomfield touched on his position for next season.
“Yes, I’m confident,” the United boss declared in his pre-match press conference.
“I think I’ve enjoyed my time at the club. It’s obviously been not the outcome that we wanted for the season.
“We knew we’d need to get to 50 points to try and stay in the league. But you never know how the league’s going to go and pan out. We’ve been pleasantly content with some of the improvements that we’ve made.
“But ultimately, we wanted to come stay in the league.
“I’ve just not given much thought to my job, to the bigger situation.
“And ultimately, as a manager or head coach, all you can do is focus on being the best you can be.
After being chosen and appointed by the powers that be at The U’s, Bloomfield maintains that he still feels supported by his bosses.
“Yeah, absolutely,” the 42-year-old replied when asked whether he still feels backed.
“I’ve not heard anything to the contrary, so I keep doing my job. I don’t know anything else, so I keep working.
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“We’ve spent lots of time with Ed this week, as we always do, working, talking about everything that’s going on around the building, around the team. So from my side, nothing’s changed. So as a head coach and as a manager, I keep working.”
Oxford discovered their fate prior to their 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday but, despite a good performance, the reality of relegation was one which took its toll.
“My weekend was not good,” Bloomfield continued.
“I had to apologise to my wife on Sunday before I went to the dinner. I was not nice to be around. I hate losing.
“But we’ve got another game to play at the weekend and it’s important that we now focus on what the future holds for our football club. You can’t change the past.
“All we can do is focus on the here and now, being the best we can be today and making sure we’re ready for the weekend and trying to build towards a brighter future.”
The U’s finished fourth in the National League South in the 2025/26 season behind champions Watford, Plymouth Argyle and AFC Bournemouth.
Liam Gilbert oversaw an upturn in form with Oxford since being reappointed as head coach in November.
Peterborough won promotion from the National League Division One Midlands – the fourth tier – last season, winning the league with an eight-point margin.
The Posh will travel to the MGroup Stadium, the home of Oxford City, for the pre-season clash.
The fixture will take place on Wednesday, June 15 with kick-off scheduled for 7:30PM.
📆 We will face Peterborough United in a pre-season friendly ahead of the new league season.
Join us at The MGroup Stadium on Wednesday 15th July with a 7:30pm kick-off.
🎟️ Tickets:
Adults – £4
Over 65/Mens Season Ticket Holders/NHS – £2.50
U18 – £1.50
U13 – £1.00
U7 – Free pic.twitter.com/HD6qXYCLyA— Oxford United Women (@OfficialOUWFC) June 15, 2026
The U’s announced that four players had left the club at the end of last season in Holly Turner, Lucy Trinder, Maddison Millington-Stanbury and Maya Kendell.
Having retained a strong core of players, the Gilbert’s side added a star signing earlier this month with the addition of Sophie Quirk from rivals Bournemouth.
The 24-year-old scored a staggering 29 goals in 33 games for the Cherries last term and will add a new attacking threat to United who are keen to seriously compete for promotion next season.
Quirk said upon her arrival: “There is so much ambition in the Club and everyone has been so welcoming to me which makes me look forward.”
League One club Oxford had a bid rejected for the 22-year-old last month, according to Pete O’Rourke , with the Baggies and newly-promoted Championship side Lincoln City also seeing offers denied.
West Brom have since progressed in their talks for the centre forward and have reportedly reached an agreement to secure Stewart’s services.
The former Queens Park Rangers trainee scored 10 goals in 21 appearances for Falkirk in the second half of last season, with the Bairns finishing sixth in the Scottish top tier.
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He has visited Birmingham and accepted the opportunity to play for James Morrison’s side, according to @talkwba , with Stewart wanting the move.
Contract details are still to be finalised with the signing announcement to follow.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Agreement reached for Barney Stewart to Join West Bromwich Albion. 22yo visited Birmingham recently & accepted opportunity; contract set to be finalised – announcement to follow. Primary target throughout + wanted #wba move. W/ @EyaWeGew @WestBromXtra pic.twitter.com/6DJJUozR6I
— westbrom.fc (@talkwba) June 15, 2026
The SFWA Young Player of the Year had addressed transfer links previously, saying: “It is insane.
“If it was to happen it would be a massive step and a quick rise if it does happen and one I would have to take in my stride.”
Oxford currently have strikers Nik Prelec and Mark Harris on their books but supporters are keen to see the club add a more prolific goal scorer to the ranks.
Martin has agreed a deal with the Foxes, who are the early bookmakers’ favourites to be promoted, to take over as head coach in League One after the club was relegated from the Championship last season.
Ex-U’s head coach Rowett took Leicester down in 23rd place after being sacked by Oxford back in December.
Rowett had taken over from Marti Cifuentes who was sacked in January following a 2-1 defeat to Matt Bloomfield’s Yellows.
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Former Queens Park Rangers boss Cifuentes had Leicester in 14th at the time and six points away from the play-off places but the club were then hit with a six-point deduction in February for breaching EFL financial rules.
Leicester’s new man charge has been out of work since being sacked by Scottish giants Rangers in October after a poor start to the Scottish Premiership season.
Martin previously took Southampton to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in 2023/24.
He began his managerial career with MK Dons after retiring with the club before moving to Swansea City in 2021 where he spent two years.
The 40-year-old was a defender in his playing days, appearing in 586 matches across his career, 309 of which were for Norwich City.
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