The 35-year-old has limited managerial experience - but has consistently been part of leadership and coaching groups
Former Rangers, Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to kick-start his management career in the EFL - with a deal reportedly agreed to become Oxford United head coach.
According to The Athletic, sources close to Ramsey’s camp claim discussions have reached an advanced stage with club officials and a formal announcement is expected imminently.
Oxford are on the hunt for a new figure in the dugout after sacking Matt Bloomfield following a short five-month spell in charge on Saturday. Under Bloomfield, the U’s finished 22nd in the English Championship last season, with relegation to the third-tier confirmed as a result.
Aaron Ramsey (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images).placeholder image
Aaron Ramsey (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images).
Oxford are now close to making their third managerial appointment in a matter of months having previously axed Gary Rowett last December, with many fans surprised by the timing of Bloomfield’s dismissal.
Should Ramsey put pen to paper on a deal at the Kassam Stadium, it will mark the Welshman’s first permanent head coach role after retiring from playing in April. He is also expected to be joined by former international team-mate Chris Gunter on his coaching staff.
Has Aaron Ramsey ever managed before?
The 86-time Wales international had a taste of life as a manager when he briefly took over at Cardiff City on a caretaker basis for the final three games at the end of the 2024/25 season. Ultimately, he was unable to save his boyhood club from relegation to League One having drawn twice and lost once during his shirt time at the helm.
Ramsey left the club that summer and moved to UNAM in Mexico in July 2025 to continue his playing career, only to leave three months later due to off-field issues.
When did Aaron Ramsey retire from professional football?
Although he had offers from other clubs to extend his career, Ramsey ultimately called time on an illustrious career, during which he is fondly remember for his 11-year association with Arsenal, where he made just shy of 370 appearances.
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While with the North London club, Ramsey won three FA Cups and was named the club's player of the season twice. He had a short loan spell at Rangers in 2022 that turned into a frustrating, injury-plagued disappointment.
Despite arriving in Glasgow with massive pedigree from Serie A giants Juventus, Ramsey’s period at Ibrox was derailed by fitness issues and culminated in a heart-breaking Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Since then, he has spoken of his desire to pursue a career in management and one day take charge of the Wales national team, whom he scored 21 goals for and helped reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
Ramsey: ‘I feel ready to coach’
He stated back in October 2024: “Hopefully it is a few years away yet, but it would definitely interest me one day. That would be a very proud moment for me. I’ve done my A Licence and will be starting my Pro Licence soon, and it’s definitely something I’m really interested in.”
On-loan Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey will decide his future in the summer. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)placeholder image
On-loan Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey will decide his future in the summer. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Aside from his caretaker stint at Cardiff, Ramsey also has experience working with the Bluebirds' Under-18s. He could lock horns with his old Arsenal colleague Jack Wilshere, who was named Luton Town manager last October.
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Ramsey revealed: “It’s not in my DNA to just put my feet up. I feel ready to coach, to manage, to be inspiring a group of players, and we’ll see what comes up.”
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