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.

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

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.

Gary Rowett applauds the fans (Image: James Holyoak/PA Wire)

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.

READ MORE: Austin FC confirm signing of ex Oxford winger Placheta

READ MORE: Transfer chief details new Oxford United recruitment setup

Former Oxford United head coach Liam Manning has left Huddersfield Town (Image: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)

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He has since been replaced by Martin Drury who was acting head coach during Manning’s absence.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.