Oxford united FC
Matt Bloomfield given Oxford United backing before sacking
The former head coach was relieved of his duties last month after suffering relegation from the Championship with the U’s despite an upturn in form.
Oxford replaced Bloomfield three days later with ex-Arsenal and Premier League star Aaron Ramsey, appointing the 35-year-old into his first permanent head coach position.
The former boss issued a statement on Friday morning with the League Managers Association, breaking his silence after his sacking.
The Yellows squad returned to the club this week ahead of pre-season, beginning testing with Ramsey undertaking his first sessions with the players.
Bloomfield joined the club in January and improved the points per game from 0.88 to 1.19.
Clean sheets when from a league low of two up to six, with other statistics such as expected goals also improving.
Bloomfield’s sacking drew shock from supporters and EFL spectators, mainly due to the timing of the decision.
It had been almost two months since the end of the 2025/26 season and pre-season was just around the corner.
With changes at board level and United quickly securing the services of their new boss, CEO Tim Williams assured fans that the club has made the right call.
“Whilst the timing of moving away from the previous head coach may seem a little bit rushed and a bit quick, I would disagree with that,” Williams told the media at Ramsey’s first press conference.
“I think we’ve got to the right point at the right time and made the right decision.”
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield issues statement after Oxford United sacking
READ MORE: League One clubs with new managers ahead of 2026/27 season
However, it is understood that internal feedback towards the former head coach’s management had been positive despite the relegation.
Bloomfield been given backing from leadership figures at the end of the campaign both privately and at post-season events.
The 42-year-old had been planning for League One since the end of last season, including recruitment and pre-season and was keen to implement a more defined and effective playing style.
These factors meant that there was shock within the club at the decision; players and staff had been in touch with Bloomfield expressing their surprise with few club members aware of the decision.
In addition, it is understood that the former Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers boss had overseen a series of improvements to the club’s culture and infrastructure, such as the installation of a new pitch at the Kassam Stadium.
Meanwhile, pre-season is now underway in OX4 under new boss Ramsey, with the squad set to travel to Spain on July 12 for a week-long, warm-weather training camp ahead of their pre-season friendlies and the 2026/27 League One season.
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
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
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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