Luton Town have parted company with Matt Bloomfield after a difficult start to life back in League One.
Just two weeks after being beaten at the Bank, Luton confirmed Bloomfield’s departure, bringing an end to a 10-month spell in charge. The Hatters, who were relegated from the Championship last season, sit 11th in the League One table following Saturday’s defeat at Stevenage.
Bloomfield’s Departure Confirmed
Bloomfield arrived at Kenilworth Road from Wycombe Wanderers in January, stepping up to replace Rob Edwards, but was unable to keep the club in the second tier. Despite losing just two of his final eleven games last season, a final-day 5-3 defeat at West Bromwich Albion condemned Luton to relegation on goal difference.
A bright opening to the new campaign, with three wins in four, quickly faded as four defeats in their last seven league outings left the club short of expectations. A statement from Luton said:
“Performances and results from the opening eleven matches of the current campaign in League One have fallen below the levels expected, and the Board of Directors has taken the difficult decision to relieve Matt, his assistant Richard Thomas, first team coach Lee Harrison and first team analyst Ben Cirne of their duties.
“Alex Lawless, aided by Paul Benson, Kevin Foley and Kevin Pilkington, will take control of the team for the interim period, starting with Tuesday night’s Vertu Trophy trip to Cambridge United.
With two training weeks ahead of the next league match, the process of appointing a new manager is now underway, which will be led by a committee involving members from the executive team, recruitment, football staff and the board. The Club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Focus Turns to the Future
Bloomfield, who made more than 550 appearances for Wycombe as a player, departs with a record of twelve wins and fourteen defeats from thirty-three games in charge of the Hatters. His exit leaves Luton searching for a third permanent manager in less than two years, underlining the instability that has followed their Premier League relegation in 2024.
The club’s immediate attention turns to Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie at Cambridge United, before two free weeks in which the board will assess candidates for the vacant post. With Luton aiming for an instant return to the Championship, the next appointment will be pivotal to their hopes of recovery.
From a City perspective, Bloomfield’s dismissal removes another familiar figure from the division. His Wycombe side were regular and resilient opponents for the Imps, and his departure at Luton highlights the high expectations across League One this season.
With Steve Bruce being sacked by Blackpool over the weekend, it is surely inevitable that Michael Skubala’s name will start popping up in connection with these jobs. Given that Chris Cohen was assistant boss at Kenilworth Road, it wouldn’t surprise me to see his name pop up in conjunction with this job.
That said, Mat Sadler, David Wagner, Ritchie Wellens and Luke Williams have already been suggested as possible replacements.
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