Wycombe Wanderers have officially confirmed Matt Bloomfield as their new manager, a day after a revealing that the move between the two parties was ‘in principle’.
The 39-year-old replaces the departing Gareth Ainsworth, who has joined Queens Park Rangers as their new head coach, following the sacking of Neil Critchley on February 19.
Bloomfield, who played over 500 times for the Chairboys between 2004 and 2021, retired from professional football in 2022 on medical grounds but was added to Ainsworth’s backroom staff for the latter half of the 2021/22 season.
🤝 Welcoming Richard Thomas to Adams Park, and a hello again to @Harry12971!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/zjIBRhhWqJ
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 22, 2023
READ MORE: 'Thank you for everything' - Wycombe players react to Gareth Ainsworth's exit to QPR
He continued as coach until being appointed as Colchester United’s new boss in September last year, where he won nine matches in 28 fixtures, which included picking up 13 points from six games in January.
This landed him that month’s Manager of the Month award.
Speaking on his return to Adams Park, he said: “I'm delighted to be back and looking forward to getting stuck into the task at hand.
“It's a really exciting time for the football club and an exciting prospect for myself. I'm ready for this job.
💙 Mr Wycombe, back where he belongs.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/t66vKlL6bq
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 22, 2023
"I'm so grateful to Colchester for the opportunity they gave me and the faith they showed in me.
“I loved my time there but the lure of coming back here to manage this football club was always going to be too big to turn down.”
Goalkeeper coach Lee Harrison, who also joined Bloomfield at Colchester in September, has also returned to Buckinghamshire, along with first-team coach, Richard Thomas.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield WILL be Wycombe Wanderers' new manager, club can confirm
He added: “It's been a huge experience for me.
“I always had hopes and aspirations of being the manager here one day and I think leaving here, albeit for a short time, has helped me get ready for this opportunity.
"I've had so many special memories at Wycombe.
“I was looking through photos with my girls last night and it brought it all back about some of the amazing times we've enjoyed here.
Wycombe Wanderers are thrilled to confirm the appointment of Matt Bloomfield as the club's new manager.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 22, 2023
Richard Thomas and Lee Harrison also join Matt's management team at Adams Park.
Let's go!#Chairboys
“I'm sure we can create so many more special memories here.”
"Thank you to the supporters for welcoming me back.
“I am so pleased to be here.
“Keep getting behind the boys, as you have been all season, and I look forward to seeing them very soon."
The appointments of Bloomfield, Thomas and Harrison sees the exit of Erbil Bozkurt, who only joined Wycombe at the start of the month.
READ MORE: 'It looks certain' - Wycombe expected to confirm Matt Bloomfield as their new manager
Great to have him home again 💙 #COYB
— T (@Deep_Blue_Me) February 22, 2023
In a statement, Wanderers said: “Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers would like to thank Erbil Bozkurt, who will leave the club this week after a short period as Head of Goalkeeping, in which the Blues won all four matches, keeping three clean sheets, and wish him well for the future.”
Bloomfield will address the local and national press at the Marlow Road training ground in the afternoon of February 23, with the Bucks Free Press being present.
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