Departing League One promotion chasers Wycombe Wanderers, Matt Bloomfield embarks on a new managerial chapter with Luton Town and we've taken a look at what he will bring to Kenilworth Road.
Joining Wycombe as a teenager in 2003, Bloomfield made 558 appearances across 19 seasons as a player with the Buckinghamshire club to earn the moniker 'Mr Wycombe'.
Forced to retire as the club's longest-serving player in 2022 due to medical advice, Bloomfield remained on the books at Adams Park but as a member of Gareth Ainsworth's backroom staff, where he operated as a first-team coach.
A managerial opportunity with Colchester United arose seven months after his retirement and following a number of recommendations, the U's opted to take the plunge on a novice manager while the club loitered perilously above the relegation zone.
Winning one of his opening eight league fixtures, it was far from a seamless transition into management but Bloomfield soon got Colchester motoring, accumulating 13 points from six matches in January to receive the League Two Manager of the Month award.
Three weeks later a return to Wycombe beckoned as the Chairboys appointed him as the successor to Ainsworth, who had departed for QPR.
In a similar fashion to his start at Colchester, Bloomfield encountered teething problems on his Adams Park comeback as Wycombe won four of their remaining 15 matches in the 2022/23 campaign to slip out of play-off contention.
With a full pre-season under his belt, results improved in the subsequent term and Bloomfield guided Wycombe to their first EFL Trophy final, where they were agonisingly beaten by Peterborough United following Harrison Burrows' stoppage time winner.
Despite cup heartache, the Chairboys concluded the season strongly with four wins in their final five matches to finish 10th and lay the foundations for their blistering form in the ensuing campaign.
In a division contested by clubs with superior budgets like Birmingham City, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town, Bloomfield's Wycombe constructed a remarkable 19-match unbeaten run in the league to establish themselves as pacesetters in League One.
At the time of Bloomfield's switch to Luton, Wycombe were placed second in the standings, two points adrift of leaders Birmingham.
Scoring 50 goals in 25 matches, Wycombe had outscored every other club in League One and it's the result of Bloomfield's attack-minded philosophy.
No club enjoyed more touches in the penalty area in League One and Wycombe ranked second for passes into the final third, which was evidence of their possession with purpose and focus on territorial gains.
Bloomfield's Wycombe repeatedly hurt teams with their quick and convincing transitions, but it was their structure when out of possession which made them very effective.
Demonstrating a high physical output, the Chairboys would press intently high up the pitch and look at minimising opportunities for opposition to build possession phases.
Flexible between a back four and back three, a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation was Bloomfield's preference, with Wycombe enjoying the majority of their success in this shape.
With a strong focal point in Richard Kone leading the line, the striker was supplemented by two fast-paced wingers on each flank who could initiate quick attacks.
The midfield three would consist of an eight and two pivots, with the eight being handed the licence to roam willingly behind the striker. Overlapping full-backs were a key facet of Wycombe's attacks, especially from the left side, where the enterprising Dan Harvie was consistently encouraged to get forward and contribute.
Quizzed on his preferred formation following his Luton unveiling, Bloomfield told The Lutonian: “You shouldn’t imprint the formation of a group if it doesn’t fit them. So it’s more principles of play that we believe in, and the formation should fit the group. We have to analyse that very, very quickly and try and play with a formation that really suits and complements the group.”
Bloomfield has been commended for his exhaustive preparation and he will need to act swiftly if he is to remedy Luton's current woes.
Bloomfield's primary objective is to preserve Luton's Championship status.
The incoming manager is all too aware that results take priority over performances given the Hatters' current predicament and while it sounds incredibly obvious, the 40-year-old must fix a leaky defence while ensuring the team carry a threat at the top of the pitch.
It's easier said than done, but Luton possess an extremely talented squad and have already bolstered their ranks in the January window with the additions of Isaiah Jones and Christ Makosso.
Jones fits the profile of an athletic, dynamic winger that Bloomfield desires, while Tahith Chong is most likely to be stationed on the left flank. Bloomfield is spoilt for choice if he opts to retain one striker with Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown contending for a starting berth.
Harvie's impact at Wycombe is excellent news if you're Alfie Doughty. The left-back has forged a reputation for his productivity and he could flourish under Bloomfield's instruction to endeavour forward.
Jordan Clark appears best-equipped to take on the attacking eight role in the midfield trio and he will likely have Marvellous Nakamba and Tom Krauß for support.
Possible strongest Luton Town starting XI under Bloomfield (4-3-3): Kaminski, Walters, McGuinness, Holmes, Doughty, Nakamba, Krauß, Clark, Jones, Morris, Chong.