Oxford united FC
Former Arsenal star appointed new Oxford United head coach
Aaron Ramsey’s appointment has been officially announced today (Tuesday, June 23) after previous manager Matt Bloomfield was sacked on Saturday, June 20.
The Welshman takes over a side that is looking to immediately return to The Championship after its relegation last season.
Mr Ramsey said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be appointed head coach of Oxford United.
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“From my discussions with the club, I can sense the ambition and desire for success, which gives me great excitement about this opportunity.”
This will be the central midfielder’s first permanent managerial position after he presided over three games for Cardiff City at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Under his brief steward they lost once and drew twice finishing bottom of The Championship. He has also worked within the Wales Men’s National Team set-up.
Mr Ramsey continued: “This is a moment I have been preparing for over many years.
“I’ve played under some of the best managers in the game and experienced high-pressure environments throughout my career.
“I want to use what I’ve learnt to bring a culture of high standards, professionalism and work ethic to this talented group of players.”
Over an almost 20 year playing career, the Welshman played for Cardiff City, Arsenal, Juventus and Nice, with his managers including Arsene Wenger and Andrea Pirlo.
He won three FA Cups, two Community Shields, a Serie A, a Coppa Italia, a Suppercoppa Italiana and a Scottish Cup, and was Arsenal’s Player of the Season twice.
In addition he played 86 times for Wales scoring 21 times, playing in a World Cup and the Euros.
Chairman of Oxford United Dusan Bogdanovic, said the club was determined to find a leader to shape the team’s “next stage of development”.
He added: “Aaron impressed at every stage and we are confident he is the right person to take this club forward.”
Meanwhile head of football operations, Ed Waldron, said that Mr Ramsey demonstrated the “character and drive” required for the role.
He said: “His footballing ideas match those that we have for the club and the squad, which makes this the right appointment at the right time.”
Mr Waldron added that they are working closely with the new head coach to prepare for the upcoming League One campaign.
After two years in The Championship, Oxford United was relegated last season, finishing 22nd with 47 points.
The team’s new head coach said they will play with a “clear identity” and be “built on elite habits”.
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He said: “My teams will play with a clear identity, be built on elite habits, with a commitment to improving every day.
“I want a squad that fights for the badge until the end, and one that makes our supporters proud.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role, and can’t wait to get started, meet the players, and connect with our supporters as we strive to bring success.”
The club has said an announcement will be made on Aaron Ramsey’s coaching staff in due course
Bloomfield was relieved of his duties almost two months after the U’s ended their time in the Championship with a 2-0 defeat to Millwall.
The 42-year-old took over from Gary Rowett in January as the club tried to survive in the second tier but, despite an upturn in form, was unable to keep United from dropping into League One.
The timing of Bloomfield’s departure has been questioned by fans, with the Yellows squad set to report back for pre-season on Wednesday.
Following the former Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers boss’ sacking, Irish wide man Emakhu took to Instagram to send a message to the departed head coach.
Emakhu on Bloomfield’s departure…. #oufc pic.twitter.com/k9OkYC4Zp3
— Joe Citrone (@Joe_Citrone) June 20, 2026
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Emakhu, alongside a photo of their pair, said: “A top man who made me feel at home the moment I walked through the door. Thank you gaff and all the best for the future.”
The 22-year-old U’s man arrived at the club from Millwall on deadline day of last season’s January transfer window and has made 12 appearances for the club.
Ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey is favourite to take over from Bloomfield at Oxford, with the club impressed by the 35-year-old.
The draw for the competition, which is open to clubs in League One and League Two as well as 16 Under-21 sides, has happened today (Tuesday, June 23).
The U’s have twice been runners up for the trophy and have now been drawn in Group A of the Southern Section alongside Cheltenham Town and Exeter City.
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The group will be completed on Thursday at 2:30pm, when the draw will take place live on Sky Sports, where one of eight Premier League Under-21 sides will be allocated.
Group stage fixtures will be confirmed in due course, with dates, kick-off times and ticket information to be announced as soon as they are finalised.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stages of the competition. with the group stage kicking off in September
This comes with Oxford United searching for a new manager after the dismissal of Matt Bloomfield on Saturday, June 20.
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He joined the club midway through the season and was unable to save them from the drop from The Championship.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is the favourite to take over as head coach, the Oxford Mail understands, with there being long-standing interest in the 35-year-old.
The appointment could be confirmed in the coming days.
Peart-Harris spent the second half of last season on loan with the U’s in the Championship, aiding their upturn in form before the side ran out of steam at the end of the campaign and were condemned to relegation.
The former Brentford and Chelsea midfielder was United’s second of eight signings of the January transfer window and played 20 games for the club, scoring three goals.
Oxford confirmed that 10 players were released last month at the end of their contracts, including Peart-Harris who was signed in the winter on a permanent deal until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old has been a suggested target for a number of clubs in both the Championship and League One by various news outlets and has now been touted for a move to Brisbane Road.
According to reporter John Harriott, Peart-Harris is ‘on the verge’ of completing a free transfer to United’s third-tier rivals Leyton Orient.
The U’s head of recruitment Scott Mitchell recently moved to Orient to become their new director of football and it is believed he would like to take the former Yellows midfielder with him to London.
Apparently, Mitchell views Peart-Harris as an upgrade on O’s midfielder Charlie Wellens who is son of the club’s manager Richie Wellens.
Two of the 10 released men have secured contracts with new clubs.
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Striker Will Goodwin signed for League Two side Gillingham earlier this month to bring an end to a disappointing two-year spell in OX4.
The 24-year-old managed one goal in just 11 appearances for Oxford.
Meanwhile, Joshua Johnson has signed for National League South outfit Maidenhead United.
The Yellows academy product joined the Berkshire side after making his professional debut with United as a 16-year-old.
Five loan spells later, he returns to Maidenhead permanently, the club he was most recently shipped out to.
The U’s are looking for a new head coach after parting ways with head coach Matt Bloomfield on Saturday.
Oxford are now on the look out for a new boss to take them into the 2026/27 League One campaign, with Aaron Ramsey currently in talks to take over as exclusively reported by the Oxford Mail.
United are yet to make a first signing themselves after the summer window opened last week.
Recently, United rescinded their interest in Colchester United forward Kyreece Lisbie, also exclusively revealed by the Oxford Mail, who looks set to sign for Thames Valley rivals Reading.
Interest died down after the departure of Bloomfield and head of recruitment Mitchell to Orient.
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