Oxford united FC
Matt Bloomfield issues statement after Oxford United sacking
Bloomfield was relieved of his duties almost two months after the end of the season in which the U’s suffered relegation from the Championship despite an upturn in form.
The sacking took fans, pundits and even club staff by surprise, with the timing of the decision drawing question which were addressed by CEO Tim Williams and head of football operations Ed Waldron last week.
Oxford moved quickly to appoint former Arsenal and Premier League star Ramsey into his first permanent head coach role.
Former boss Bloomfield arrived at the club in January, replacing Gary Rowett who was sacked two days before Christmas, and improved the club’s fortunes with Oxford sitting 14th in the table since his appointment.
The former United boss has issued a statement with the League Managers Association, saying: “It has been a privilege to be head coach at Oxford United and I want to thank the fans for their support and commitment throughout my time at this fantastic club.
“From the families who waited by my car to chat, the gifts I received at the end of the season and the young supporters who waited for photos after games, I’ve been moved by the warmth and kindness you have shown in welcoming me and my family to Oxford.
“The way you received the players after our final home game against Sheffield Wednesday was special and is something I will always reflect fondly on.
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“Despite being unable to make up the points deficit we inherited, I’m proud of the players, coaching staff and tireless work we put in to turn the season around – the players gave everything, and I believe that if we had longer together, the outcome would have been different.
“Naturally, I’m disappointed not to be taking things forward. I was excited to continue this work and implement our clear vision to evolve the playing style and move the club forward.
“I also want to thank the Owner, Board and Ed Waldron for the opportunity to work at such a great club, and I wish everybody connected with Oxford United the very best for the future and I hope our paths cross again.
“I want to end by paying tribute to Amelia Aplin and her family. How this club and community came together at an incredibly difficult time will always stay with me and Amelia’s memory will live on in our hearts forever.”
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.
Romeny joined the U’s in January 2025 from Dutch side Utrecht for a reporter club-record signing, with Oxford going on to secure survival in the Championship under Gary Rowett that season.
The 26-year-old’s game time was limited last season with the forward playing only 16 times in the league, two of which were from the start, thanks to injury and a struggle to break into the team under Matt Bloomfield.
The Indonesia international has played 32 times for United in total during his 18 months at the Kassam, scoring one goal which came in a 3-2 defeat to Coventry City in March 2025.
Romeny is now being linked with a move away from the club with Fortuna Sittard of the Netherlands reportedly offering a route back to his country of birth.
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Dutch reporter Mounir Boualin has said that Fortuna’s deal for the Oxford forward is close with a medical scheduled and only the fine details needing to be ironed out.
The journalist had said previously that Romeny is a ‘serious contender’ to bolster the attack of the Dutch outfit.
The forward is an Indonesian international due to his maternal grandmother who, despite being ethnically Dutch, was born in Medan when it was still called the Dutch East Indies.
Oxford United’s owner Erick Thohir is an Indonesian business and Minister of Youth and Sports in Indonesia.
The midfielder left the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer after arriving on a permanent, short-term deal from Premier League side Brentford.
Peart-Harris made 19 appearances for the U’s, bagging three goals, but ultimately suffered relegation with the club under former head coach Matt Bloomfield.
One of 10 names to depart the club for free at the end of last season, the 23-year-old is now in search of a new permanent club.
After spending time in Chelsea’s academy, the former Yellows man joined Brentford in 2021.
He enjoyed three loan spells away from the club, firstly at Forest Green Rovers before spells at Portsmouth and Swansea City.
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Peart-Harris played nine times in his time with the Bees, including four in the Premier League before becoming one of Oxford’s eight January signings last season.
According to Football League World, the 2002-born man is the subject of interest from the U’s League One rivals Leicester as well as QPR in the Championship.
The two clubs are both ‘on alert’ and are eyeing up moves for the former Yellow who will surely be looking to win a move as high up the football pyramid as he can.
QPR finished comfortably in 15th position in the second tier whilst the Foxes were relegated alongside Oxford, finishing the season in 23rd.
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