There is definitely a rally at the bottom for Cardiff City, who have now sunk below the red line in the Championship. At Christmas time, they were Mediterranean sailors in mid-table, but after winning only one of their last nine games in the Championship, alarm bells are ringing.
Malaysian owner Vincent Tan (who became rich from MC Donald’s restaurants and betting) has intervened and found a solution for the rest of the season that came as a surprise to many.
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Wales captain Aaron Ramsey will take charge of Cardiff City for the remainder of the Championship season after the club has ended its partnership with Omer Riza.
Riza was informed of the decision on Saturday after the loss to Sheffield United left Cardiff just one point from safety in the relegation zone. Ramsey, 34, will lead the team for the first time during Monday’s game against Oxford United at Cardiff City Stadium.
He will be assisted by his former Wales teammate and current Wales U19 manager Chris Gunter, as well as Cardiff midfielder Joe Ralls.
Gavin Ward, who is expected to continue as goalkeeper coach, makes up the rest of the technical team along with U21 coach Matt Bloxham and U18 manager Tom Hutton.
A club statement read: “We would like to thank Omer for his passion and efforts during his time as Cardiff City manager and wish him all the best in his next step in football.”
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Ramsey has no previous experience as a head coach, but has long had coaching ambitions. Wales boss Craig Bellamy has previously hinted that he could work at a high level after his playing career.
The experienced international (86 games) will be the third manager on the Cardiff bench this season. The season started with Erol Bulut at the helm, but he was sacked after picking up just one point from the first six games – the club’s worst start to the season ever.
Riza, former coach at Watford, was brought in as Bulut’s assistant in the summer of 2023. He was first hired as interim manager before being given a contract until the end of the season in December after an improvement in results.
But as Cardiff have struggled to get away from the relegation battle, the pressure on Riza has increased. It is believed that parts of the club’s management were considering a move as early as February, with former manager Neil Warnock as a possible replacement, but Riza retained the support of owner Vincent Tan.
After supporters chanted Riza’s resignation during Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United – their fifth game without a win – the club have now taken action in an attempt to avoid relegation to the Third Division for the first time since 2002.
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Ramsey as a rescuer?
Cardiff will be hoping that the appointment of Ramsey – one of the club’s most accomplished academy players – can at least rally supporters ahead of the crucial games against Oxford, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.
The midfielder became the club’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2007, before going to Arsenal in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup twice.
He returned to his childhood club in 2023 after stints at Juventus and Nice, but injuries have limited his impact on the pitch.
Ramsey is out of action for the rest of the season following surgery for a hamstring injury sustained during the loss to Luton Town in February.
During his time back at Cardiff, he has worked with the club’s academy, and he has also provided tactical analysis to Riza from the stands during an earlier injury period this season.
