Ex-Hatters boss Bloomfield is sacked by Oxford United

Oxford United have announced the departure of former Luton boss Matt Bloomfield as the club’s head coach.

The 42-year-old, who began his managerial career with Colchester United, had left Wycombe Wanderers to take over at Kenilworth Road in January 2025, but after failing to keep Town in the Championship, was sacked by Luton following a poor run of results in October last year, his final game a 2-0 defeat at Stevenage.

Bloomfield was then named U’s boss in January, moving to the club when they were three points adrift of safety, as he won just one of his first 10 games in charge, then picked up three successive victories, only losing once in eight matches to give Oxford a real chance of staying in the second tier. However, a run of three defeats from their last four matches, meant the U’s finished 22nd in the table, and dropped into the third tier, along with Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City.

The ex-Chairboys midfielder had hoped to remain in the dug-out and lead United into the 2026-27 campaign, as speaking to BBC Oxford, Bloomfield, he said: “Yes, I'm confident. I've enjoyed my time at the club. It's obviously not been the outcome that we wanted for the season. 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.

"I've not heard anything to the contrary. I keep doing my job. I don't know anything else, so I keep working. We've spent lots of time with Ed (Waldron, head of recruitment) this week as we always do, talking about everything that's going on around the building, around the team. So from my side nothing's changed, as a head coach and as a manager, I keep working."

However, Bloomfield’s time at the Kassam Stadium was ended today, as a club statement said: “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. 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.”