League One 2025-26 Season Preview

The 2025-26 League One season promises to be an exciting one, with several teams vying for promotion and others looking to solidify their status in the third tier. Here's a club-by-club preview of what to expect this season.

AFC Wimbledon

Manager: Johnnie Jackson Last Season: Fifth in League Two (won play-off final) Key Ins: Alistair Smith, Steve Seddon, Joe McDonnell, Nathan Bishop, Delano McCoy-Splatt Key Outs: Josh Neufville, James Tilley Expectations: AFC Wimbledon will be looking to re-establish themselves as a League One club after their relegation in 2022. The Dons have a strong defensive foundation, conceding only 35 goals last season, but will need to improve their attacking output to avoid a relegation battle.

Barnsley

Head Coach: Conor Hourihane Last Season: 12th Key Ins: David McGoldrick, Murphy Cooper, Caylan Vickers, Patrick Kelly Key Outs: Stephen Humphrys, Max Watters, Corey O'Keeffe, Donovan Pines Expectations: Barnsley is in a transitional phase with a new head coach and a modest budget. While a mid-table finish is likely, the Reds will be looking to build around a strong spine of players including Marc Roberts and David McGoldrick.

Blackpool

Manager: Steve Bruce Last Season: Ninth Key Ins: Fraser Horsfall, Michael Ihiekwe, George Honeyman, Jordan Brown Key Outs: Sonny Carey, Rob Apter, Jake Beesley Expectations: Steve Bruce has made it clear that promotion is the goal for Blackpool this season. With a strong midfield and new defensive signings, the Seasiders will be looking to contend at the top of the table.

Bolton Wanderers

Manager: Steven Schumacher Last Season: 11th Key Ins: Amario Cozier-Duberry, Thierry Gale, Xavier Simons, Ethan Erhanon, Mason Burstow Key Outs: Aaron Collins, Ricardo Santos, Gethin Jones, George Thomason Expectations: Bolton Wanderers are under pressure to achieve promotion this season. With a younger, more energetic squad, the Wanderers will be looking to improve their consistency and defensive record.

Bradford City

Manager: Graham Alexander Last Season: Third in League Two Key Ins: Stephen Humphreys, Max Power, Josh Neufville, Jenson Metcalfe Key Outs: Richie Smallwood, Jamie Walker Expectations: Bradford City is back in League One after a six-year absence. The Bantams will be looking to avoid relegation and build on their promotion momentum with a focus on organization and hard work.

Burton Albion

Head Coach: Gary Bowyer Last Season: 20th Key Ins: Jake Beesley, Fabio Tavares, JJ McKiernan, Kyran Lofthouse, Toby Sibbick, Jordan Amissah Key Outs: Rumarn Burrell, Max Crocombe, Ryan Sweeney Expectations: Burton Albion will be looking to improve on their poor start last season. With a more connected squad and a focus on fitness, the Brewers will aim for a mid-table finish.

Cardiff City

Head Coach: Brian Barry-Murphy Last Season: 24th in Championship (relegated) Key Ins: None Key Outs: Aaron Ramsey, Callum O'Dowda, Joe Ralls, Anwar El Ghazi, Dimitrios Goutas Expectations: Cardiff City is aiming for an immediate return to the Championship. With several Championship-quality players still in the squad, the Bluebirds will be looking to rebuild and regain confidence.

Doncaster Rovers

Manager: Grant McCann Last Season: 1st in League Two (promoted) Key Ins: Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Matty Pearson, Glenn Middleton, Brandon Hanlan Key Outs: Joseph Olowu, Tom Anderson Expectations: Doncaster Rovers will be looking to establish themselves in League One. With a strong sense of togetherness and pace on the flanks, Rovers could push for a top-half finish.

Exeter City

Manager: Gary Caldwell Last Season: 16th Key Ins: Ethan Brierley, Sil Swinkels, Jayden Wareham, Joe Whitworth Key Outs: Demetri Mitchell, Caleb Watts, Jake Richards Expectations: Exeter City will be looking to improve on last season's 16th-place finish. With a solid defense and some promising young loanees, the Grecians will aim for a mid-table position.

Huddersfield Town

Manager: Lee Grant Last Season: 10th Key Ins: Alfie May, Ryan Ledson, Josh Low Key Outs: Brodie Spencer, Jonathan Hogg, Josh Koroma Expectations: Huddersfield Town is under pressure to achieve promotion this season. With a revamped squad and a new manager, the Terriers will be looking to compete at the top of the table.

Leyton Orient

Manager: Richie Wellens Last Season: Sixth (lost in play-off final) Key Ins: Aaron Connolly, Josh Koroma, Idris El Mizouni, Demetri Mitchell, Tyreeq Bakinson, Joe White Key Outs: Ethan Galbraith Expectations: Leyton Orient will be looking to push for the play-offs again this season. With a more experienced squad and a focus on versatility, the O's will aim for a top-10 finish.

Lincoln City

Head Coach: Michael Skubala Last Season: 11th Key Ins: Sonny Bradley, Ryley Towler Key Outs: Ethan Erhanon, Sean Roughan, Paudie O'Connor Expectations: Lincoln City will be looking to push for the top six this season. With a focus on identity and a strong spine, the Imps will aim to avoid a relegation battle.

Luton Town

Manager: Matt Bloomfield Last Season: 22nd in Championship (relegated) Key Ins: Josh Keeley, George Saville, Nakhi Wells Key Outs: Carlton Morris, Thomas Kaminski, Thelo Aasgaard Expectations: Luton Town will be looking to challenge for promotion this season. With several Championship-quality players still in the squad, the Hatters will aim to return to the Championship.

Mansfield Town

Manager: Nigel Clough Last Season: 17th Key Ins: Ryan Sweeney, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Luke Bolton, Jamie McDonnell Key Outs: Alfie Kilgour, Stephen Quinn Expectations: Mansfield Town will be looking to improve on last season's 17th-place finish. With a more versatile squad and a focus on quality, the Stags will aim for a mid-table position.

Northampton Town

Manager: Kevin Nolan Last Season: 19th Key Ins: Tyreece Fornah, Jack Burroughs, Dean Campbell, Jordan Thorniley, Michael Forbes, Elliott List Key Outs: Aaron McGowan, Mitch Pinnock Expectations: Northampton Town will be looking to avoid relegation this season. With a focus on grit and defensive ability, the Cobblers will aim for safety.

Peterborough United

Manager: Darren Ferguson Last Season: 18th Key Ins: Alex Bass, Sam Hughes, Brandon Khela, Declan Frith, Kyrell Lisbie Key Outs: Hector Kyprianou, Ricky Jade-Jones, Kwame Poku, Malik Mothersille, Emmanuel Fernandez Expectations: Peterborough United will be looking to improve on last season's 18th-place finish. With a stronger defense and a focus on youth, Posh will aim for a top-half finish.

Plymouth Argyle

Manager: Tom Cleverley Last Season: 23rd in Championship (relegated) Key Ins: Jamie Paterson, Xavier Amaechi, Brendan Wiredu Key Outs: Maksym Talavierov, Ryan Hardie, Adam Randell Expectations: Plymouth Argyle will be looking to challenge for promotion this season. With a focus on stability and a strong defense, the Pilgrims will aim for a play-off place.

Port Vale

Manager: Darren Moore Last Season: 2nd in League Two (promoted) Key Ins: Marko Marosi, Jordan Gabriel, Cameron Humphreys, Ben Waine Key Outs: Nathan Smith, Ethan Chislett, Tom Sang Expectations: Port Vale will be looking to avoid relegation this season. With a strong midfield and a focus on depth, the Valiants will aim for safety.

Reading

Manager: Noel Hunt Last Season: Seventh Key Ins: Paudie O'Connor, Finley Burns, Mark O'Mahony Key Outs: Amadou Mbengue, Jayden Wareham, Michael Craig Expectations: Reading will be looking to stabilize this season. With a focus on youth and a strong spine, the Royals will aim for a mid-table finish.

Rotherham United

Manager: Matt Hamshaw Last Season: 13th Key Ins: Lenny Agbaire, Dan Gore, Josh Benson Key Outs: Cameron Humphreys, Hakeem Oddoffin, Jonson Clarke-Harris Expectations: Rotherham United will be looking to build on last season's 13th-place finish. With a focus on youth and fitness, the Millers will aim for a top-10 finish.

Stevenage

Manager: Alex Revell Last Season: 14th Key Ins: Jordan Houghton, Saxon Earley, Chem Campbell, Phoenix Patterson, Jasper Pattenden, Filip Marshall Key Outs: Aaron Pressley, Elliott List, Jake Forster-Caskey Expectations: Stevenage will be looking to build on last season's 14th-place finish. With a focus on pace and flair, Boro will aim for a play-off push.

Stockport County

Manager: Dave Challinor Last Season: Third (lost in play-off semi-final) Key Ins: Malik Mothersille, Tayo Edun, Joseph Olowu, Arttu Hoskonen, Corey O'Keefe Key Outs: Tanto Olaofe, Will Collar, Fraser Horsfall, Ibou Touray, Macauley Southam-Hales Expectations: Stockport County will be looking to challenge for automatic promotion this season. With a strong squad and a focus on success, the Hatters will aim for the top.

Wigan Athletic

Manager: Ryan Lowe Last Season: 15th Key Ins: Christian Saydee, Dara Costelloe, Fraser Murray, Paul Mullin, Callum Wright Key Outs: Toby Sibbick Expectations: Wigan Athletic will be looking to push for a top-half finish this season. With a focus on firepower and a strong goalkeeper, the Latics will aim for steady progress.

Wycombe Wanderers

Head Coach: Mike Dodds Last Season: Fifth (lost in play-off semi-finals) Key Ins: Taylor Allen, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Armando Quitirna, Mikki Van Sas Key Outs: Joe Low, Jasper Pattenden, Franco Ravizzoli, Beryly Lubala Expectations: Wycombe Wanderers will be looking to push for the play-offs again this season. With a focus on squad depth and versatility, the Chairboys will aim for a top-six finish.