GUNNER FIRE
Aaron Ramsey lands first manager job as Arsenal legend is named player-interim boss of Cardiff after they sack Omer Riza
Cardiff released a statement on social media
AARON RAMSEY has been tasked with saving Cardiff City's season after manager Omer Riza was sacked.
The former Arsenal star will take charge of the relegation-threatened Championship side for Monday's clash with Oxford United.
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The Bluebirds confirmed the decision on social media with a 94-word statement.
It read: "Cardiff City FC can confirm that a decision has been taken to relieve Omer Riza of his duties as first team manager.
"Aaron Ramsey will lead the club for the remaining three games of the Sky Bet Championship season, beginning with Monday’s match at home to Oxford United.
"Chris Gunter, Joe Ralls, Tom Hutton and Matthew Bloxham will join Aaron in the technical area.
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"We’d like to thank Omer for his passion and effort during his time as Cardiff City manager and wish him the very best for his next steps in the game."
Ramsey said: “The fans are huge for us. I'm really looking forward to seeing our fans getting right behind the team and playing their part.
"Hopefully now in this last three games, starting on Monday, they can get right behind us and help us get over the line. I know what it's like to be a Cardiff fan, and I can relate to them.
“Please get behind this team now, because we'll give you everything on Monday and for the remaining two games.
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"It's all about togetherness and sticking by each other now. We need to get out of the situation we're in, there's no two ways about that. Hopefully we'll have something to celebrate at the end of the season.”
Cardiff are currently 23rd in the Championship and are staring relegation to League One in the face.
The Welsh side has not dropped into England's third tier of football since the 2003/04 season.
Riza hit out at the club's supporters earlier this week as he slammed them as "clueless".
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The comment came before his side lost 2-0 to Sheffield United which proved to be the final straw before his axing.
Ramsey, 34, will be hoping to work a miracle in order to save his beloved boyhood club from the drop.
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His first match ever in charge of a team will come against Oxford, which is vital as a win could send the club up to 20th place.
The former Arsenal star will also remain in charge for the following two matches before the season ends.
These fixtures are against play-off chasing West Brom and mid-table Norwich City.
He will be joined by former Wales stars Chris Gunter and Joe Ralls on the touchline.
Ramsey is familiar with Gunter, having had him as his best man at his wedding.
Former Tottenham ace Gunter was also Ramsey's landlord while he played for Arsenal.
Ramsey starred for the Gunners between 2009 and 2019, having made 369 appearances for the club and scoring 64 goals.
He returned to Cardiff City in 2023 following spells at Juventus, Rangers and Nice.
Ramsey became Cardiff's youngest player at the age of 16 in 2007 before his £5million move to Arsenal.
Since his return to his boyhood club in 2023, he has helped the club's U18s team in a coaching capacity.
The 86-cap ace is the third manager Cardiff have had this season following Riza and Erol Bulut.
The Welsh club are five games without a win and have not been in the third tier since 2002.
He also revealed last October that he would love to succeed Craig Bellamy and be the Wales manager one day.
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He said: "It would be a very proud moment for me one day.
"Hopefully, that is a few years away yet, but it would definitely interest me one day."
Cardiff's remaining games
Here is what the remaining fixtures of Cardiff's season are...
- April 21 - Cardiff City vs Oxford United (H)
- April 26 - Cardiff City vs West Brom (H)
- May 3 - Norwich City vs Cardiff City (A)