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Cardiff City have appointed Aaron Ramsey as interim manager for the final three matches of the 2024–25 Championship season, following the dismissal of Omer Riza. This decision comes after Cardiff's 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United, which left them 23rd in the league, one point from safety. Ramsey who is 34, returns to his boyhood club in a managerial capacity, having rejoined as a player in 2023. He has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury but will now lead the team's efforts to avoid relegation. Assisting him will be Chris Gunter, Joe Ralls, Tom Hutton, and Matthew Bloxham.
Despite this being his first managerial role, Ramsey holds UEFA A and Elite Youth A coaching licenses and has experience working with Cardiff's under-18 team. Ramsey's immediate challenge is to guide Cardiff through their remaining fixtures against Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City, aiming to secure their Championship status. Cardiff City's season has been challenging, with the team securing only 9 wins, 15 draws, and 19 losses, placing them 23d in the Championship standings with 42 points.
Ramsey’s emotional return to Cardiff cut short by injuries
Aaron Ramsey’s return to Cardiff City as a player in 2023 marked an emotional homecoming for the Welsh international, who began his professional career at the club before moving to Arsenal in 2008. After a lengthy career across top European clubs; including Arsenal, Juventus, and Nice. Ramsey signed a two-year deal with Cardiff ahead of the 2023–24 Championship season. In his first season back, Ramsey was named club captain and made a strong start, both on and off the pitch.
He scored four goals in his first 10 league appearances and provided leadership to a relatively young squad. However, persistent injury issues including a recurring hamstring problem limited his playing time significantly. Over two seasons, he made only 26 league appearances. Despite these setbacks, Ramsey’s influence at the club remained strong behind the scenes. His leadership and experience were highly valued by teammates and staff, ultimately paving the way for his recent appointment as interim manager in.
