I had just left the house to get a coffee when the embargoed announcement came through. Safe to say that plan was abandoned.

As has the Bloomfield project.

The consensus when he came through doors was that the ex-Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers man was going to be trusted in the long term. That was even more so assumed with Bloomfield still in charge about a month and a half after the finale of the Championship season despite the U’s getting relegated.

So, to sack the head coach this late in the day is strange and harsh, with a positive pre-season at risk.

Bloomfield did oversee an upturn in form which, over the course of an entire season, would have kept Oxford up and its timing will be disappointing, to say the least, for the now former boss.

It has already been a summer of change with Dusan Bogdanovic coming in as chairman, replacing Grant Ferguson and head of recruitment Scott Mitchell leaving for Leyton Orient.

Early thoughts on the Matt Bloomfield sacking decision 💭

Not a whole load of answers at this point but feels a pivotal moment now for Oxford United. The next appointment needs to come with identity and stability.

Will also have an opinion piece out soon. #oufc (1/2) 🧵 pic.twitter.com/AgWnCCgEs7

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) June 20, 2026

Oxford United owner Erick Thohir (left) and chairman Dusan Bogdanovic (right) with FIFA president Gianni Infantino (Image: @dusan.ph via Instagram)

Reasons for the sacking are hard to find at this point, but it would be natural to assume that the decision is – at least partly – the influence of the new chairman who is an ex-professional footballer and agent apparently keen to bring a data-driven player recruitment system to the club.

It felt like Bloomfield was very much head of football operations Ed Waldron’s man when appointed which begs the question: was this Waldron’s decision or Bogdanovic’s?

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Oxford United winger Jeon Jin-woo (right) and head of football operations Ed Waldron (left) (Image: Jason Dawson)

Did data tell the new chairman that Bloomfield is not the man to take them forward after disappointing with Luton in League One?

The club must believe that there is someone better out there.

Given all the changes higher up the food chain, perhaps this is the final action needed to complete a reset in the footballing side of things. Questions still remain over why this was not done earlier.

But this moment feels pivotal for Oxford United.

The club strayed from its previous identity with the appointment of Gary Rowett 18 months ago and has now had three sackings in 18 months.

Now is a crucial moment to re-establish that identity with a fresh start after relegation.

Matt Bloomfield scours the touchline in Oxford United draw with QPR (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Oxford must now make an appointment which is long-term.

United are no longer just trying to stay in the division by any means necessary and so a short-term fix is no longer the choice to make.

Stability is crucial and, after the changes above board, an appointment which everyone can behind – fans, staff and board included – is needed. The club cannot afford another messy pre-season and cannot afford to get left behind in the third tier.

In addition, as much as Bloomfield did improve things, it never felt like there was a real playing identity.

The U’s will be, on paper, one of the stronger teams in a weaker league and so the opportunity to bring in someone with a clearer, positive playing style is now.

Whatever they do next, everyone must be fully invested.

If, in fact, the Yellows are to move towards a data-led model with a head coach that plays attractive football, then they must be fully invested.

There are so many more questions than answers right now but what is needed now is clear: identity, stability and unity across the entire club.

The U’s parted ways with head coach Matt Bloomfield on Saturday almost two months after their last game of the season.

Bloomfield arrived in January, taking over from Gary Rowett, but failed to keep the club in the Championship despite an upturn in performances.

United were relegated to League One with two games to spare and were defeated on the final day of the season 2-0 away at Millwall on May 2.

Fans are surprised and confused by the timing of the sacking, with the summer transfer window having opened last Monday and the U’s players set to return for pre-season at the end of the month.

Oxford United have confirmed that the search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with the bookmakers already naming their early favourites ahead of the upcoming League One season.

Dave Challinor – 4/1

Former Stockport boss Challinor currently leads the way with BetVictor .

The 50-year-old spent five years with the Hatters, guiding them from the National League to League One and almost took the club to the Championship last season.

Ex-Stockport manager, Dave Challinor, on the touchline (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

Challinor’s side were defeated 4-1 at Wembley in the play-off final by Bolton Wanderers, with the former player departing by mutual consent the following week.

Initial thoughts on Bloomfield’s departure-

Don’t know the full story, but feels like the reset button has been pushed, perhaps, given the recent board changes and now this.

New chairman, new manager and new league – a strong identity needs to be established. #oufc 🟡

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) June 20, 2026

Karl Robinson – 8/1

The former U’s boss is also currently out of work after being dismissed by Salford City earlier this month.

The 45-year-old took Salford to the League Two play-off final last term but suffered a 3-0 defeat to Notts County which led to his sacking on June 2.

Robinson spent five years in charge of Oxford in League One and was dismissed by the club in February 2023 after a run of eight games without a win.

Ex-Salford City manager Karl Robinson (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

John Terry – 8/1

Former England, Chelsea and Aston Villa captain Terry is still yet to be given a head coach role despite six years of coaching experience.

After retiring in 2018, Terry returned to Villa as an assistant to Dean Smith until 2021 and re-joined Smith again two years later at Leicester City.

READ MORE: Oxford United sack Matt Bloomfield ahead of League One season

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Chelsea’s John Terry acknowledges the crowd (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

The 45-year-old has been coaching at Chelsea’s academy for the past three years and was linked with the U’s job after Rowett was sacked back in December before taking to social media to take his hat out of the ring.

Other names amongst BetVictor’s favourites include:

Alex Revell – 8/1

Rob Edwards – 8/1

Steve Bruce – 10/1

Mat Sadler – 10/1

Richie Wellens – 10/1

Alan Sheehan – 12/1

Dean Holden 14/1 

Dean Brennan 14/1 

Andy Woodman 14/1 

Darren Ferguson 14/1 

Liam Manning 16/1 

The U’s parted ways with Bloomfield on Saturday ahead of the 2026/27 League One campaign after the 42-year-old failed to keep the club in the Championship last season.

The Englishman replaced Gary Rowett as head coach in January but, despite an upturn in results, could only manage a 22nd-placed finish in the second tier as the club were relegated.

Bloomfield’s dismissal is the third in under two years in OX4 after Des Buckingham’s sacking in December 2024 and Rowett’s in December 2025.

The timing of Bloomfield’s departure comes almost two months after the U’s last game of the season, with the players set to return for pre-season at the end of June.

Initial thoughts on Bloomfield’s departure-

Don’t know the full story, but feels like the reset button has been pushed, perhaps, given the recent board changes and now this.

New chairman, new manager and new league – a strong identity needs to be established. #oufc 🟡

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) June 20, 2026

Yellows fans have reacted with frustration and surprise at the dismissal.

In response to the club’s announcement on X, @benthompson2305 said: “Genuinely gutted and what terrible timing. We saw last season the impact of a disjointed pre-season, which we just can’t let happen again. Best of luck in the future Matt!”

Genuinely gutted and what terrible timing. We saw last season the impact of a disjointed pre-season, which we just can’t let happen again.

Best of luck in the future Matt! #oufc

— Ben Thompson (@benthompson2305) June 20, 2026

Matt Bloomfield shakes hands with Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert (Image: Jason Dawson)

Another supporter, @heyit5sam2 replied sarcastically: “Stupendous timing as always. Players back Thursday, first pre season game in a month’s time. In a season where we all know what the objective is. 5 managers in 3 years don’t look good.”

Many fans thought that, with pre-season just around the corner, Bloomfield would be given the opportunity to bounce back next season.

READ MORE: Oxford United sack Matt Bloomfield ahead of League One season

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The last time the former Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town boss managed in League One was in 2025 with the Chairboys in which he had them competing for automatic promotion.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield (left) and head of football operations Ed Waldron (right) (Image: Jason Dawson)

On X, @TomMRussell91 said: “This is mad, thought at least giving him a chance in League One.”

@andrew17taylor responded: “Absolutely farcical.”

Another supporter, @SueDavi59989906 said: “I thought MB had done a much better job with OUFC than Gary Rowett he had kept a more consistent team I hope this decision will not come back to haunt us next season!”

I thought MB had done a much better job with OUFC than Gary Rowett he had kept a more consistent team I hope this decision will not come back to haunt us next season !

— Sue Davies (@SueDavi59989906) June 20, 2026

On Facebook, one fan stated angrily: “On the face of it, absolutely stupid decision.

“How to mess up another pre-season and put us on the back foot for next term.

“If they were going to do it, should have been the day after the Millwall game.”

On the contrary, @VegasOx on X said: “Thank goodness, no way good enough, is [former Stockport County manager] Dave Challinor still available?”

@NeilSmythe added: “Let’s hope there’s a cunning plan behind this…”

Oxford have stated that the process of appointing a new head coach will begin immediately.