Oxford United Part Ways with Head Coach Matt Bloomfield
Oxford United have announced the dismissal of head coach Matt Bloomfield following the club's relegation to League One.
Bloomfield, aged 42, took over from Gary Rowett in January. Despite some promising results and performances in the latter half of the season, he was unable to prevent the club's drop from the Championship.
In an official statement, Oxford United acknowledged Bloomfield's contributions:
"Matt Bloomfield has represented Oxford United with professionalism and integrity."
"We would like to thank Matt for his efforts and wish him every success in the future."
The club also confirmed that the search for a new men's first team head coach will commence immediately, with updates to be provided in due course.
Bloomfield's Managerial Journey and Oxford's Relegation
Bloomfield had been appointed head coach at Oxford United when the club was positioned 23rd in the Championship, three points below the safety line. He succeeded Rowett, who had overseen a difficult run of one win in ten matches.
Prior to Oxford, Bloomfield's managerial career included roles at Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers. He took over Wycombe in 2023, leading the team to automatic promotion places in League One despite competition from financially strong clubs like Birmingham City and Wrexham.
Following this success, Bloomfield moved to Luton Town but was dismissed in October 2025 after failing to prevent consecutive relegations to the third tier. At the time of his departure, Luton was 11th in the table after a disappointing start to the season.
Upon Oxford's relegation confirmation in April, Bloomfield expressed confidence in retaining his position:
"I've enjoyed my time at the club. It's obviously not been the outcome that we wanted for the season," he said.
"We've been pleasantly content with some of the improvements we have made but ultimately we wanted to stay in the league."
"I've not given much thought to my job and the bigger situation and ultimately, as a manager or head coach, all you can do is focus on being the best you can be."
Season Performance and Relegation Details
Oxford United showed signs of a possible "great escape" in late February and early March, securing three consecutive wins that elevated them to 21st place. However, the momentum faltered with only two wins in the subsequent eight matches, causing them to lose ground to rival teams.
The relegation marks the end of Oxford's two-year tenure in the Championship, following their promotion via the League One play-offs in the 2023-24 season.
Additional Information
Matt Bloomfield had been out of work since his dismissal from Luton Town in October 2025 before joining Oxford United.
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