Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to be appointed as Oxford United’s new head coach after holding talks with the League One club.
According to reports, Ramsey met senior Oxford figures on Monday evening and an official announcement is expected shortly.
The appointment will mark the first permanent managerial role of Ramsey’s career following his retirement from professional football earlier this year.
The 35-year-old previously had a brief taste of management when he took temporary charge of Cardiff City for the final three matches of the 2024-25 campaign.
However, he was unable to prevent his boyhood club from suffering relegation from the Championship.
Ramsey now appears ready to begin a new chapter from the dugout after one of the most distinguished playing careers of his generation.
The Welshman remains a hugely popular figure among Arsenal supporters after spending 11 years in north London.
He made more than 350 appearances for the Gunners and played a key role in ending the club’s long wait for silverware.
Ramsey scored the winning goals in both the 2014 and 2017 FA Cup finals and was also part of the squad that lifted the trophy again in 2020.
His performances during his time at Arsenal established him as one of the Premier League’s most accomplished midfielders.
After leaving the Emirates in 2019, Ramsey joined Juventus before later playing for Nice, Mexican side Pumas UNAM and Cardiff.
At international level, he earned 86 caps for Wales and helped his country reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in one of the greatest achievements in Welsh football history.
Oxford are turning to Ramsey after deciding to part company with Matt Bloomfield at the weekend.
The club endured a difficult campaign that ended with relegation from the Championship after finishing 22nd.
Ramsey’s task will be to guide Oxford back to the second tier at the first attempt.
Reports suggest former Wales team-mate Chris Gunter is expected to join his coaching staff.
Ramsey recently admitted he was eager to move into management and felt ready for the challenge.
“It’s not in my DNA to just put my feet up,” he said in May. “I feel ready to coach, to manage, to be inspiring to a group of players.”
Should his appointment be confirmed, Ramsey will begin his first full managerial season with the pressure of delivering an immediate promotion challenge.
Arsenal supporters will also be keeping a close eye on the next stage of the career of one of the club’s modern FA Cup heroes.