What Aaron Ramsey's coaching CV looks like after being appointed interim Cardiff City manager | OneFootball

The Wales captain steps up at his boyhood club with just weeks left to save Cardiff City's Championship status.

Aaron Ramsey has been named interim manager of Cardiff City for the final stretch of their Championship campaign in a dramatic twist in the club’s fight for survival.

The club's official website announced the news of Omer Riza's sacking on 19 April, whilst also confirming that the injured Bluebirds midfielder would be taking charge of the final three league games of the season.

With Cardiff hovering just above the relegation zone and time running out, the Bluebirds have turned to one of their most famous graduates - but one with almost no frontline managerial experience.

Ramsey takes over from Riza, who was dismissed after a run of poor results left the club one point from safety.

Ramsey’s first match in charge will be Monday’s clash with Oxford United, assisted by Wales Under-19s manager Chris Gunter and club captain Joe Ralls.

Aaron Ramsey’s coaching experience as Welsh legend takes charge for Cardiff’s relegation run-in

Despite his high-profile playing career with Arsenal, Juventus and Wales, Ramsey is a managerial novice.

He has recently completed his UEFA A Licence with the FAW - the penultimate step before a Pro Licence - and has openly discussed ambitions to manage Wales in the future.

“I’ve done my A Licence and will be starting my Pro Licence soon,” he said in October. “It’s definitely something I’m really interested in.” Ramsey confirmed that one day managing the national team would be “a very proud moment” for him.

Over the past year, Ramsey has taken tentative steps into coaching. He’s worked with Cardiff’s Under-18s and has been offering tactical input from the stands during his recent injury lay-off.

During the Bluebirds’ 5-0 win over Plymouth, he provided real-time analysis to the recently departed Riza.

"It was what was in our minds anyway which is nice,” Riza said after the match, praising Ramsey's alignment with the coaching staff.

However, Ramsey has no experience leading a senior side, and his appointment - while romantic from a narrative perspective - is a significant gamble in the context of Cardiff’s league position.

Craig Bellamy’s warning to Ramsey and Cardiff City’s final test

Not everyone in Welsh football believes now is the right time for Ramsey to take on such a responsibility.

Wales boss Craig Bellamy - himself a former Cardiff player and now managing the national side - has publicly advised against a dual player-coach role for his captain.

“I can’t see him being a player-coach at Cardiff this season,” Bellamy said last year. “I’ve seen Vincent [Kompany] do it at Anderlecht and it’s really difficult. I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Injuries have ruled Ramsey out of playing in the final run-in, removing the immediate threat of him juggling both roles. But Bellamy’s warning still looms large as Cardiff face a high-stakes end to the season.

Cardiff conclude their Championship campaign with matches against Oxford United, West Brom and Norwich - all with survival on the line.

The Bluebirds are just one point from safety with three games to go, trailing Derby County and Luton Town, who both sit on 43 points. With a goal difference worse than Derby's but better than Luton's, Ramsey's side must find results quickly to avoid a first drop into the third tier in over two decades.

Ramsey’s leadership will need to inspire not just on paper, but in results. A club legend returning to steady the ship might lift supporters, but the challenge facing Ramsey in his first managerial job is as tough as they come.