Oxford united FC
League One clubs with new managers ahead of 2026/27 season
The third tier has seen plenty of change already this summer, with five managers being replaced even before the start of pre-season.
Oxford United were the latest to do so last week, appointing former Arsenal and Premier League icon Aaron Ramsey as their new boss.
Former head coach Matt Bloomfield, who unfortunately took the U’s down to League One after Championship relegation, was sacked on June 20, just over a week before the Yellows players reported back for pre-season.
An unknown quantity in his first permanent head coach position, Ramsey will lead United into the new season as the club looks to return to the second tier at the first time of asking.
Four managerial changes had occurred prior to Bloomfield’s dismissal, including the departure of two former Oxford bosses.
The first change following the end of the 2025/26 campaign was in South Yorkshire.
Barnsley parted ways with former Aston Villa man Conor Hourihane by mutual consent just before the end of the season which saw the Tykes finish 15th in League One.
Ex-Republic of Ireland international Hourihane has since joined the new team in charge of Leicester City as assistant manager.
The Foxes were one of the other clubs to make a change.
After suffering relegation from the Championship last term under former Oxford boss Gary Rowett, the club replaced the outgoing head coach with former Rangers and Southampton boss Russell Martin.
Rowett was contracted until the end of the season and Martin was announced as his successor on June 15, returning to League One for the first time since leaving MK Dons in 2021.
Leicester are currently odds-on favourites to win promotion from the third tier at 5/6 according to BetVictor.
Former Yellows boss Liam Manning is another manager to make way before the new season.
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After taking compassionate leave away from Huddersfield Town in March, Manning was out of action until the end of the season.
The 40-year-old was confirmed to have left the Terriers permanently by mutual consent on May 11.
He has since been replaced by Martin Drury who was acting head coach during Manning’s absence.
Finally, Dave Challinor left play-off final losers Stockport County last month by mutual consent.
Stockport were defeated 4-1 by Bolton Wanderers at Wembley and Challinor left the club a week later.
The former Hatters boss had been in charge since 2021 and had taken the club from the National League to League One during that time.
Jimmy McNulty was announced as Challinor’s replacement, joining from National League play-off final winners Rochdale.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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