Blackburn appoint Dodds as assistant head coachpublished at 16:04 BST 27 June
16:04 BST 27 June
Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Mike Dodds had been at Oxford United working alongside Matt Bloomfield
Blackburn Rovers have brought in former Wycombe boss Mike Dodds as their new assistant head coach.
Dodds leaves Oxford United, where he worked alongside former head coach Matt Bloomfield, to link back up with Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray.
The 40-year-old began his career as a youth coach at Coventry before spending 12 years within Birmingham's set-up.
He left Blues in 2021 for Sunderland where he worked alongside Mowbray as head of individual player development.
He took charge of 18 games as caretaker manager of the Black Cats, winning four matches, during 2023-24 before being appointed Wycombe head coach in 2025.
Dodds' stint at Wanderers lasted seven months before he was sacked, with the Chairboys having won 10 of 31 games.
'Hoping for the best, fearing the worst'published at 16:04 BST 24 June
16:04 BST 24 June
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you for your thoughts on new Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey and while the former Wales midfielder has plenty of star quality, not everyone is starry-eyed at his appointment.
Here is a selection of what you had to say:
Ali: Not overly surprised that we sacked Matt, timing seems a bit off though. Aaron is a big risk, thought we'd go for someone with more experience. We will obviously back him but can see this either being a 100 point season or, more likely, a complete disaster. Reckon Oxford will be looking for a new manager in November...
Hostis: I have no idea why Bloomfield was sacked. We were playing better after he joined and thought with him we had a chance of going straight back up. Now we get into another manager merry-go-round where Ramsey will have until Christmas.
I hate the new board.
Charlie: He's a good choice for us. Not proven anywhere yet but he's got to learn somewhere and League One will probably be a good place to start. Seems like he's also ready for a challenge and will get us back into the Championship.
Nigel: Happy with this, hopefully Ramsey can use his contacts in the game to get some decent signings. Could be a good appointment for both Ramsey and OUFC.
William: I'm not pleased, but I'm not fuming.
It felt like we were building something with Bloomfield and so to throw it away for an untested manager is confusing. Then again Ramsey should be given a chance, if he has the right style and is backed by the board he could succeed. Regardless, whoever is in charge, up the Ox! COYY!
Richard: Yes I'm happy. I'm sure he will be giving everything to have a successful season.
If it had to be an ex-player, I prefer a box-to-box midfielder, as he was. As managers, I think they understand all areas of the pitch better than a striker or defender would. With his playing experience and having played under many good managers, I think he's a good choice at this time.
Roops: Seems like the proverbial 'rolling the dice' option, given Ramsey has minimal managerial pedigree. Yes it's great if the owner intends to commit in terms of finances, despite relegation, and the replacement chairman wants more involvement in decision-making than his predecessor, but at some point they need to stabilise and trust their decisions for longer than a few months.
In the best case, it'll probably be two to three seasons until we'll mount another promotion challenge.
Mark: Could this be a Wayne Rooney appointment? Hoping for the best, fearing the worst. Holding judgement.
Kevin: Think all Oxford fans want to hear from the ownership group as to why they waited so long to make the decision to replace Bloomfield with Ramsey.
As for Ramsey, he is saying all the right stuff and the squad is a good one for the level so hoping for exciting times ahead! Looking forward to seeing how he uses his contacts in the game in terms of signings, friendlies or coaching staff.
William: Very! As a Welsh Oxford United fan it definitely feels like a surreal crossover between my club and country. Very excited to see if he can be as good as, I think, we all believe he can be.
Are you happy with Ramsey's appointment?published at 18:23 BST 23 June
18:23 BST 23 June
Image source, Getty Images
Former Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey has been appointed as Oxford United's new head coach.
The 35-year-old took charge of three matches at Cardiff City at the end of the 2024-25 season but his role with the U's will be his first permanent managerial job in football.
Ramsey replaces Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked after Oxford were relegated from the Championship to League One last season.
Oxford fans, are you happy with Ramsey's appointment?
If not, who would you have liked instead?
What are your expectations for the 2026-27 campaign?
Will Ramsey be appointed Oxford manager?published at 14:20 BST 23 June
14:20 BST 23 June
Media caption,
Will Aaron Ramsey be the new boss at Oxford United?
It is being widely reported that former Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey will become the next head coach of Oxford United.
The 35-year-old has limited managerial experience - a short spell in caretaker charge of Cardiff.
But Chris Wathan - BBC Wales' football reporter - says at Cardiff, and with his national team, Ramsey has consistently been part of leadership and coaching groups.
🎧'The timing is the biggest surprise'published at 19:18 BST 20 June
19:18 BST 20 June
Media caption,
The Dub - Matt Bloomfield sacked
"The timing is what has taken everyone by surprise more than anything.
"If this had happened six weeks ago just after United's relegation had been confirmed I don't think anyone would have raised many eyebrows.
"What has happened since then is a change at the top of the club with Dusan Bogdanovic coming in as chairman and there is every reason to believe he wants to be more hands-on than his predecessor Grant Ferguson."
BBC Radio Oxford react to the news of the sacking of Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield in a special edition of The Dub.
🎧Eastwood: 'I've loved it - with many ups and downs'published at 18:12 BST 2 June
18:12 BST 2 June
Media caption,
The Dub - U's keeper Simon Eastwood (and Matt Le Tissier)
"I've probably had four really good seasons where you get a lot of praise. You're the best thing ever, and stuff like that.
"And then there are a few moments, like Wembley (giving away penalty to lose play-off final) ... and a mistake in the Swindon derby... but to me the best games are where you tick them off and no-one mentions you."
The Dub team talk to veteran Oxford United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood, 36, who is celebrating 10 years at the club. He talks memories, signing a new contract, and relegation back to League One.
The team also hear from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier on almost joining the U's aged 15, before getting homesick.
Image source, Shutterstock
