Recently-relegated Oxford bowed out of the Championship with a 2-0 defeat to Millwall on the final day after their League One status for next season was confirmed the week prior.

The club’s retained list is yet to be released following the season’s end with head coach Matt Bloomfield revealing that he does not expect a massive overhaul of the playing squad this summer.

(Image: Oxford United)

Above board, however, moves are apparently already happening as Football League World have that Scott Mitchell, The U’s head of recruitment, has agreed a deal to move up to Newcastle as part of their recruitment team amidst internal restructuring at the club.

Mitchell has been at the club since 2024 after joining from Wycombe Wanderers.

READ MORE: Millwall boss praises Emakhu despite Oxford United wish

READ MORE: Oxford United captain Brannagan hurt after Championship exit

He worked in the same role with the Chairboys as he has in OX4 and operated alongside Bloomfield for a time during his spell in Buckinghamshire.

Mitchell began his career as an academy coach for Ipswich Town and worked his way up the ranks with the Tractor Boys over the course of 12 years.

The former Ipswich coach has worked for The Yellows during three transfer windows in the Championship, seeing the club secure survival last season before their unfortunate relegation this campaign.

The Lions’ boss previously said that the club did not initially want to sell Emakhu during the winter transfer window, but it was the Irishman’s wish to seek more game time elsewhere.

Emakhu was used mainly as an impact substitute at his former club and struggled to tie down a place in The U’s first XI after his deadline day move.

(Image: Oxford United)

Performances in the final few games of the season led to the 22-year-old starting the final two fixtures of the season – a 4-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday and Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at The Den.

“[It was] great to see Aidomo,” Lions boss Neil said after the final day fixture.

“[He is] a really good lad; always gave everything when he went on the pitch for us.

Emakhu got a good reception from the home fans. Told reporters this week he’d be a #Millwall fan for life pic.twitter.com/I3eKLt7iK7

— William Scott (@WillScottSports) May 2, 2026

“Aidomo and I had a couple of chats prior to him leaving. He wanted to go to get game time. He didn’t want to leave Millwall.

“So I’m not saying it as if he wanted to get out the door and we should all hate him. He’s a good lad.

“He wanted to play, we just couldn’t give him as much game time as he wanted while he was here and I understand that he wanted to go and get game time which I’ve got no problems with. I’ve had that conversation many a time.”

Matt Bloomfield’s side lost 2-0 at The Den thanks to a Femi Azeez double, U’s captain Brannagan beaten by the winger for the opening goal.

It was Oxford’s final Championship fixture before returning to League One after two years in the second tier with relegation confirmed before their win over Sheffield Wednesday last week.

Brannagan was named club captain last September, taking over from the departing Elliott Moore, and was a key member of the League One promotion-winning Yellows side of 2023/24.

“I thought they were very good,” the 29-year-old said regarding opponents Millwall.

“Didn’t think we were great. Obviously they had a lot to for and it’s a tough place to come. I thought they kept the ball very well and I don’t think we laid a glove on them, to be honest. That’s the frustrating part. It’s all about looking forward to next season.

Millwall’s Casper de Norre (centre) and Oxford United’s Cameron Brannagan (right) battle for the ball (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

“We want to bounce back. The frustration is massive at this moment in time. It hurts a lot; it has done now since the day we found out.

“I think we have to get ourselves ready this summer because it’s going to be a really tough season next season. We want to bounce back and get back in this league.”

Oxford have a big squad to deal with in the summer, with players coming and going after loan moves, some out of contract, and others whom the club will surely be receiving offers for.

Final post-match debrief of the season as #OxfordUnited now out of the Championship 🗯️

😖 Millwall 2-0 defeat
⬇️ End of Championship stay
🔜 Looking ahead to summer + next season#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/quCUBZmA1T

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) May 2, 2026

“There will be people come and go, obviously loan players go back as well to their clubs. It’ll be full focus on pre season once we get in from the first day and we’ve got to get it right because we want to get back to where this club should be in this league.”

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READ MORE: Oxford United beaten 2-0 by Millwall to end Championship stay

The U’s will return to the third tier of English football for the 2026/27 season where they spent eight years competing before winning promotion two years ago.

“We’re going to need big characters all season. We played in League One for a long time and it’s not an easy league. It’s something that we’ve got to be prepared for come pre season. From day one, we have to have that aim to try and get back to where we want to be and that’s here.”

A standout and leader for the majority of his eight years at the club, Brannagan could be one who garners interest from elsewhere this summer.

“I’m under contract so it will be full focus in pre season. We want to improve, we want to be better.”