Former Gunner appointed interim manager at Cardiff | OneFootball

Aaron Ramsey, the former Arsenal midfielder and Wales captain, has been appointed interim manager of Cardiff City for the remainder of the Championship season following the sacking of Omer Riza.

The decision comes after Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United, a result that leaves Cardiff one point adrift of safety and winless in their last five.

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Ramsey, 34, steps into the role despite having no senior managerial experience. He will be assisted by his former international teammate Chris Gunter, now manager of Wales Under-19s, and current Cardiff midfielder Joe Ralls.

The rest of the technical staff includes goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward, under-21s coach Matt Bloxham, and under-18s manager Tom Hutton.

In a statement, Cardiff said: “We’d like to thank Omer for his passion and effort during his time as Cardiff City manager and wish him the very best for his next steps in the game.”

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Ramsey’s appointment marks a deepening of his ties with the club where his career began. A prodigious talent from Caerphilly, he became Cardiff‘s youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 16 in 2007. He moved to Arsenal in 2008, where under Arsène Wenger he developed into one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation.

During his time at the Emirates, Ramsey made 369 appearances, scoring 64 goals and winning the FA Cup twice, famously scoring the winning goals in both the 2014 and 2017 finals. His performances were often characterised by his intelligent runs from midfield, tireless work rate, and ability to deliver in big moments. Despite several serious injuries, all the ultimate result of Ryan Shawcross shattering his leg when he was still only a teenager, he remained a key figure throughout his time in north London before leaving for Juventus in 2019 on a free transfer under Unai Emery.

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His career since leaving Arsenal has continued to be hampered by injuries. After spells in Turin and Nice, he returned to Cardiff in 2023.

Ramsey is ruled out for the rest of the season following hamstring surgery last month. That absence now opens the door to his first taste of management, though his influence off the pitch had already been growing.

Despite the lack of coaching credentials, Wales boss Craig Bellamy has previously tipped Ramsey to excel in management, describing him as someone with a high football IQ and strong leadership qualities.

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Cardiff, currently facing relegation to the third tier for the first time since 2002, are hopeful that Ramsey’s presence can galvanise the squad ahead of a critical final stretch, which includes matches against Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City.

Whether this proves a short-term stopgap or the beginning of a longer managerial career for Ramsey remains to be seen. But for now, Cardiff have placed their survival hopes in the hands of one of their own.