Matt Bloomfield: Oxford United head coach sacked

Bloomfield has been out of work since being sacked as Luton boss in October 2025.

He was appointed by Oxford at a time when they were 23rd in the Championship, three points adrift of safety, after Rowett oversaw a disappointing spell of one win in 10 games.

Bloomfield began his managerial career at Colchester United before taking over from Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe Wanderers in 2023.

After leading the Chairboys to the League One automatic promotion place last season amid big-spending challenges from Birmingham City and Wrexham, he moved to take charge at Luton.

But Bloomfield could not prevent the Hatters from slipping back to the third tier and were relegated after an underwhelming start to the season, with the club 11th in the table.

Bloomfield said he was confident of keeping his job after Oxford’s relegation was confirmed in April.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at the club. It’s obviously not the result we wanted for the season,” he said.

“We were delighted with some of the improvements we made but ultimately we wanted to stay in the league.

“I didn’t think too much about my job and the big situation and in the end, as a manager or head coach, all you can do is be the best you can be.”

Oxford looked capable of pulling off a “great run” in late February and early March when they won three games in a row to move up to 21st place.

However, just two wins in the next eight matches saw them lose ground at the top.

Relegation ended a two-year spell in the second tier after winning promotion via the League One play-offs in 2023–24.