Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has been appointed as Cardiff City’s interim manager for the remainder of the Championship season following the departure of Omer Riza.
The decision comes after a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Friday left the Bluebirds just one point above the relegation zone.
Ramsey, 34, will manage his first game on Monday against Oxford United at Cardiff City Stadium. Assisting him will be former Wales teammate and Wales Under-19s manager Chris Gunter, as well as Bluebirds midfielder Joe Ralls.
Goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward, alongside youth team coaches Matt Bloxham and Tom Hutton, completes the technical staff.
The club thanked Riza for his efforts in a statement, wishing him well for his future endeavors. Riza, initially appointed caretaker last year, was handed a contract in December after improving the team’s form.
However, with Cardiff now winless in five matches, pressure mounted, and fan frustration boiled over following chants for his removal after Friday’s loss.
Ramsey, one of Cardiff’s most celebrated academy graduates, faces a daunting challenge. Despite having no frontline managerial experience, he has long harbored coaching ambitions and has been tipped for success at a high level by Wales boss Craig Bellamy.
His appointment marks the third managerial change of the season for Cardiff, who began the campaign under Erol Bulut during their worst-ever start to a Championship season.
A club legend, Ramsey broke into Cardiff’s first team at the age of 16 before moving to Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups.
He returned to his boyhood club in 2023 after stints with Juventus and Nice but has struggled with injuries, including a recent hamstring surgery that has sidelined him for the remainder of this season.
During previous injury layoffs, Ramsey contributed to tactical analysis and worked with the academy, providing a foundation for his leadership role.
