Former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey took his first steps into management over the past week as he looked to help guide Cardiff to safety in the Championship.
The midfielder, who is still a contracted player with the Bluebirds, took over from Omer Riza, a former Hale End academy graduate.
Cardiff have been on a slippery slide in the Championship in recent weeks, despite picking up some mid-season form that appeared to have them in a good position.
With Riza leaving, Aaron Ramsey was given the task on an interim basis to turn things around for his boyhood club.
The former Arsenal man had an uphill task, one that is now impossible to finish.
Aaron Ramsey opens up on Cardiff’s relegation in his managerial stint
After being thrown into management quite suddenly, Ramsey was given three games to keep Cardiff in the Championship.
A devastating 1-1 draw with Oxford put the Bluebirds in a tricky position, with teams around them winning.
That was compounded by another draw, this time against West Brom, sealing their fate as a League One team next season.
It’s a nightmare moment for Ramsey, just two games into his first taste of management, not least as it’s his boyhood club.
Speaking to the media after relegation was confirmed, the midfielder said: “I’m gutted. Obviously I’m a fan as well. It’s sad to see this club going down.
“The fans have had a difficult time this season. I feel for them. I know how they are feeling. I want to say I’m proud of the last couple of performances.
“The level of information they’ve taken over such a short space of time was evident to see.
“We could have won on other days, but the reality is, we haven’t been good enough over the course of the season, but we have to accept that.”
Ramsey’s current deal with Cardiff expires this summer, and it remains to be seen whether he will stay on as a player, join part of the coaching staff or move on elsewhere.
There is one final match before all of that, though, one that the Arsenal fans will look on at with plenty of nostalgia.
Aaron Ramsey takes on Jack Wilshere in Arsenal reunion during Norwich vs Cardiff
While Ramsey has stepped into management for the first time this season, he isn’t the only one to make such a move.
Jack Wilshere is the Norwich interim manager for the rest of the season, following the dismissal of Johannes Hoff Thorup as head coach with two games to go.
The former midfielder also managed a 0-0 draw over the weekend, this time against Middlesbrough, to keep both ex-players without a defeat on their managerial CV so far.
That could change next week, however, as Jack Wilshere takes on Aaron Ramsey in a bit of a reunion on the touchline.
Norwich play host to Cardiff in the final match of the Championship campaign, one that is bound to bring some nostalgia for Arsenal fans.
It remains to be seen who may come out on top, but it will be one to keep an eye on in the second tier.
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