Championship sack race: Matt Bloomfield could be dismissed after Oxford United development

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Credit: Imago Thu 26 February 2026 12:20, UK Matt Bloomfield looks to be the most likely Championship manager to be sacked next after his Oxford side saw their relegation fears worsen with a midweek loss to Stoke City.Oxford headed to the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night on a barren run of no wins and just one goal scored in their previous six matches.Bloomfield‘s side went behind in the 36th minute as Lamine Cisse opened the scoring for Stoke, but Ciaron Brown then levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time.The U’s needed a huge second half to take them closer to second-tier safety, but failed to muster a shot on target as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s header meant all three points stayed in the Potteries.Defeat saw Oxford’s Championship survival hopes lessen even further, with Bloomfield’s job surely under serious scrutiny as it stands.Read more: Championship promotion race: Supercomputer makes playoff prediction after Birmingham and Stoke latestMatt Bloomfield has failed to help Oxford improve since January arrivalBloomfield was appointed as Oxford’s new manager on 9 January, as he became Gary Rowett’s permanent successor after his December sacking. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The former Wycombe and Luton boss arrived with the U’s sat 23rd in the Championship, three points adrift of safety, and he has failed to improve their standing in the table as yet.His first three games were all positive, as they held Bristol City and QPR to 0-0 draws and even beat fellow strugglers Leicester 2-1 away from home for Bloomfield’s first win at the helm.They have since struggled to continue that momentum, with five defeats and two draws in their last seven games to remain in 23rd, while they are now six points from safety and relegation looks almost certain.Oxford fans are not happy with Bloomfield, with one taking to X after their loss to Stoke to say: “He is proving to be a shocking appointment.

7 points in 10 games, 4 goals scored; worse than under GR (Rowett). Need 23 points from only 12 games now; sadly cannot see us getting anywhere near.”He is proving to be a shocking appointment.

7 points in 10 games, 4 goals scored; worse than under GR. resigned to League 1 next season. Need 23 points from only 12 games now; sadly cannot see us getting anywhere near.— Malcolm Barnett 🚜 (@Malcolm09312862) February 26, 2026 View Tweet He is surely walking a tightrope in terms of his job security, with the U’s hierarchy potentially mulling over a change before they feel it is too late.It would not come as a surprise to see him as the next second-tier boss to lose his job, especially if they are defeated by 21st-placed West Brom at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.Read more: Supercomputer makes updated Championship relegation prediction after West Brom and Leicester latestWho are Opta predicting to be relegated from the Championship after Oxford loss?Oxford fans seem resigned to returning to League One already, and Opta‘s current predictions would give them every right to think that way.Their current trajectory sees the supercomputer give the U’s an 88.3 per cent chance of being relegated from the Championship this season.Sheffield Wednesday have already been relegated, and as well as Oxford, it is West Brom who are currently being tipped to join them in the third-tier for 2026-27.Opta have given the Baggies a 49.5 per cent chance of relegation, while 22nd-placed Leicester have been backed to stay up, with a 28.68 per cent chance of going down right now.