Oxford United sack Matt Bloomfield ahead of League One season

Bloomfield was appointed in January after the departure of Gary Rowett with the aim of keeping the U’s in the Championship.

Despite an upturn in form, Oxford were relegated to the third tier in 22nd place, along with Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

A statement from the club read: “Oxford United can confirm the departure of Matt Bloomfield as men’s first team head coach.

“Matt was appointed in January 2026 and oversaw the second half of the 2025/26 season, a campaign which ultimately ended in relegation to League One. Throughout his tenure, he represented Oxford United with professionalism and integrity.

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

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“We would like to thank Matt for his efforts and wish him every success in the future.

“The process of appointing a new men’s first team head coach will begin immediately, and the club will provide updates in due course.”

United was Bloomfield’s fourth job in management and second in the Championship.

Matt Bloomfield celebrates terrific first Oxford United win (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

The 42-year-old began his coaching career with Colchester United after a long playing career with Wycombe Wanderers.

He then returned to the Chairboys in 2023, taking over from Gareth Ainsworth and had the Buckinghamshire side in the automatic play-off places in League One before jumping ship to second-tier outfit Luton Town in January 2025.

Bloomfield failed to keep the Hatters suffering back-to-back relegations, however, and was relieved of his duties in October of the following season, before taking over in OX4 three months later.

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The Englishman went his first three games unbeaten, with two draws and a win, before enduring his first defeat as Yellows boss at home against Birmingham City.

A tough run followed in February before the club’s fortunes turned on the final day of the month with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

The U’s won two more matches after that and put in consistently promising performances before faltering in the final four games, defeats to Derby County and Wrexham ultimately sealed the club’s fate.

Oxford won their final home game of the Championship season 4-1 against bottom-of-the-table Wednesday before losing 2-0 on the final day to third-placed Millwall.

The search for a new head coach begins immediately, say the club as it searches for its fourth manager in under two years.

Fixtures for the new EFL season are to be released on Thursday, June 25, with the players also reporting back from their holidays at the end of the month.