Former Arsenal star set to begin managerial career by replacing Hale End graduate

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Arsenal have had several former players who have developed into successful managers.

Mikel Arteta is the standout, with the Spaniard overseeing the Gunners’ recent ascendancy from mid-table mediocrity to perennial title challengers.

Meanwhile, the likes of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Giovanni van Bronckhorst have all delved into the coaching realm.

A new wave of Arsene Wenger’s disciples might be about to hit the managerial scene, with Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas among those entering the initial stages of their post-retirement careers in football.

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Aaron Ramsey set to replace Omer Riza at Cardiff City

Wilshere is currently a coach at Norwich City and has been touted as a potential new manager of the Canaries this week.

Meanwhile, Fabregas is overseeing the Como revolution, taking charge of the new Serie A club last summer.

The former midfield partnership are about to see another of their peers join the managerial sphere, with Aaron Ramsey set to take charge of Cardiff City for the remaining three games of the Championship season.

Ramsey, who still plays for the Bluebirds, will become an interim player-manager in the Welsh capital.

The 34-year-old replaces Omer Riza, who graduated from Hale End in late 1990s, at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Riza was only appointed in September 2024, but was dismissed on Saturday, with Cardiff sat in 23rd in the English second division.

They’re currently just a point behind Derby County in 21st, and Ramsey has fixtures against Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich to save the Welsh side from relegation.

How has Aaron Ramsey fared this season for Cardiff?

Leaving Juventus in the summer of 2022, having made just 70 appearances for the Old Lady, Ramsey spent a single season at Nice, before rejoining his boyhood club Cardiff in 2023.

Managing just 13 appearances in an injury-hit first campaign back in South Wales, Ramsey has found himself on the periphery of the Cardiff squad this season.

Starting just six Championship games all season, the midfielder hasn’t registered a goal or an assist.

His move towards the dugout possibly indicates that his playing career is close to its end, and that he’s thinking about moving into a coaching role moving forward.