How Matt Bloomfield Could Shape Oxford United's Survival Battle

How Matt Bloomfield Could Shape Oxford United's Survival Battle

"I want a team the fans can be proud of." - In the immediate aftermath of Matt Bloomfield's appointment as the new Oxford United manager, his words were laced with intent and an apparent passion for the job he is taking on.

It is the exact sort of statement you want to hear from an incoming coach, especially one taking over such a precarious situation like that of Oxford.

But a mixed reaction from fans has seen many wondering whether Bloomfield is the right man to steer the club from looming relegation or whether he will turn out to be yet another hiring mistake by the U's hierarchy.

With the current situation, there is no doubt the task at hand is a treacherous one, but Bloomfield will be hoping he can implement his ideologies successfully and write himself into Oxford United folklore by defying what many fans deem to be an inevitable fate.

Bloomfield to This Point

Bloomfield's managerial career has seen more ups than downs thus far, with his presence in the coaching scene beginning in a short stint with Colchester in League Two.

This was followed by a return to the stomping ground where he spent his entire playing career, succeeding Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe, where he showed much promise, including back-to-back manager of the month wins.

Bloomfield would then move to Championship strugglers Luton to try and prevent consecutive relegations but would ultimately fall agonisingly short with a 5-3 defeat on the final day against West Brom sending them to League One.

He would then be sacked the following season with Luton three points off the playoffs after a poor run of form.

📝 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘: Oxford United have appointed Matt Bloomfield as their new head coach on a long-term contract.

(Source: @OUFCOfficial) pic.twitter.com/UeTN2VImD6

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 9, 2026

With a relatively short CV to this point, the Oxford job is, for many, set to be an uphill struggle for Bloomfield given the size of the task and the relative inexperience of such a chaotic situation.

But something about his managerial style is endearing, and you can't help but think that he will succeed, despite the size of the task.

What Bloomfield Brings

Bloomfield has often been packaged as a manager who will bring front-foot, attacking football everywhere he goes.

But, in fact, Bloomfield is so much more than that as a gaffer.

Despite ultimately being sacked at Luton, the work he did was largely good and included a level of adaptability and versatility rarely seen by managers in the modern day.

Bloomfield has been vocal about his willingness to shift and tweak his system based on the players he has, rather than try to shoehorn them into his ideology – something which was shown in his last job.

He will bring a freedom to play at Oxford, giving his squad the floor to express themselves whilst also instilling a disciplined structure which should provide a better balance at both ends of the pitch than has been seen so far this season.

But perhaps the most impressive part of his managerial arsenal is the leadership style and exceptional care he takes with each individual player. The best example of this is at Luton, where Bloomfield faced the unprecedented situation of his goalkeeper, Thomas Kaminski, losing his father.

Matt Bloomfield travelling to Belgium to accompany Thomas Kaminski back to England following the death of his father shows we absolutely appointed the right man.#LutonTown #COYH pic.twitter.com/pyRpSXXY7j

— #InLutonTownWeTrust (@SSE_LTFC) April 25, 2025

Ready to Prove the Doubters Wrong?

The gripe for many Oxford fans with the appointment is that they don't believe he has the experience and is yet another young manager who will crumble under the pressure when push comes to shove.

Losing at home to Swansea at half time, inability to keep the ball, pass or even defend crosses then hearing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank and Matt Bloomfield are interested in the Oxford job..#OUFC pic.twitter.com/6b4325zhpi

— Nigel Barrett (@Scorby_Doo) December 29, 2025

Meaning that there is a strong likelihood we are set to see a much more evolved version of Broomfield compared to the one sacked in October.

Add this willingness to learn to his forward-thinking style, man-managing wizardry, and passion for management, which is rare in the modern day, and Bloomfield has all of the attributes to succeed.

Now, whether that success will come at Oxford isn't an obvious answer – especially given the circumstances he has inherited.

But given the disappointment of his last job and the doubt which has been thrown around at his expense in the wake of this appointment, it does feel like this could be the job where Matt Bloomfield really announces himself to the footballing world as a manager who has the potential to reach the top.