By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Luton Town have sacked manager Matt Bloomfield following a disappointing start to life in League One, with the club confirming his departure on Monday morning.
The 40-year-old, appointed in January to replace Rob Edwards, was tasked with guiding the Hatters back to the Championship at the first attempt after suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and Championship. However, after 11 league matches, Luton sit 11th with five wins, one draw and five defeats.
A club statement read: “Performances and results from the opening 11 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.
“The Board wishes to thank Matt, Richard, Lee and Ben for their efforts during a difficult period for the Club and wishes them the very best for their future careers.”
The decision follows Saturday’s 2–0 defeat to league leaders Stevenage, which proved Bloomfield’s final match in charge. The loss came just days after chief executive Gary Sweet had publicly backed the manager, though he admitted at the time he would have “no qualms” about making a change if results failed to improve.
Assistant coach Alex Lawless will take interim charge, supported by Paul Benson, Kevin Foley and Kevin Pilkington, beginning with Tuesday’s Vertu Trophy trip to Cambridge United. Luton have two weeks before their next league fixture, with the club confirming that the search for a permanent successor is already under way.
Bloomfield joined Luton from Wycombe Wanderers after an impressive spell in Buckinghamshire but was unable to halt the club’s slide. Despite a brief upturn last season, his side were relegated from the Championship on the final day after defeat at West Bromwich Albion.
While results have been mixed this term, the Hatters remain only three points off the play-off places and eight adrift of the automatic promotion spots.
The club is expected to consider several candidates for the vacancy, with figures such as Luke Williams, Damien Duff and David Artell already being linked. For now, Luton’s focus turns to stabilising their form under temporary management, as the search begins for a leader capable of restoring the club’s upward momentum.