Oxford United next manager odds with Chelsea star named

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

READ MORE: Oxford United fans react to shock Matt Bloomfield sacking

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