Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:43 pm
Aaron Ramsey rules out Cardiff City player-manager role and reveals views on Vincent Tan
Glen Williams
Aaron Ramsey has appeared to rule out the prospect of being a player-manager at Cardiff City, believing he would have to choose one or the other moving forward.
The current interim boss is set to take charge of his third and final game this weekend, travelling to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City in the knowledge that the Bluebirds have already been relegated.
Ramsey is the bookmakers' favourite to take over permanently this summer, however he has already reiterated his desire to continue playing beyond this season, with the 2026 World Cup a big incentive for him.
The Wales captain is currently injured and his contract is up in June. He said he has not held any talks over his future but seemed to rule out the notion of signing on in the capacity of player-manager.
"One day I would like to be in this position," he said of being a manager. "I don't think you can do both [player-manager], it would be one or the other.
"So, we will see. But the focus is on Norwich."
Trying his utmost to put a positive spin on relegation, while expressing his disappointment, Ramsey said, at the very least, this situation represents an opportunity to "put things in place" to bounce back: "I feel like this is a great opportunity now for this club and it gives it a launch platform."
Firstly, though, once the Norwich game is done and dusted, the appointment of a new manager is of pressing concern. Not only the manager, though, Ramsey believes having the right backroom staff is "massive" in terms of creating a culture of success.
"There are inexperienced managers doing really well, experienced managers doing not so well! That, for me, doesn't mean a lot," he said of the next managerial appointment.
"Whoever is in charge, the team they bring in around them, and the trust that manager has in the the team he brings in, is massive. Massive. Everyone has got to buy into that.
"Then you can look to add layers to that. It's making sure you get the manager and give him the trust to bring in the right people around him.
"It's important someone is brought in with the right staff around them. You can go from there then. But you need clarity, fans need clarity, players need clarity and you can build from there."
The interim boss said on Saturday that the setup at Cardiff is different to other clubs he's played at, alluding to a director of football or similar personnel.
Cardiff have a glaring lack of footballing nous at board level and a lack of direction, which such an appointment might go some way to resolving.
Vincent Tan issued a statement to supporters this week, refuting claims he "doesn't care" and insisted a full review would be conducted and changes would be implemented thereafter.
Speaking about his talks with Tan, Ramsey said: "The conversations I've had, it's evident he does care. We can all agree this season has not been good enough. Things need to be put in place in order to bounce back from this.
"Hopefully those things do take place now and we can move forward from this position. It's a fantastic opportunity for us.
"I've had a few conversations with him throughout the few years I've been here. They've all been similar. He has not been around as much as fans would want, but from the conversations I have with him, I know he is invested in the club and watches the games. He wants the best for this club.
"It's about putting all that into action. You haven't got someone here day to day, being amongst the place, someone has to link all that and put things into place that it needs."
In his speech to players and officials at Saturday's awards evening, Ramsey called for unity and doubled down on that message during his final pre-match press conference, reiterating just how important the supporters will be if the club wants to regain its Championship status in 12 months' time.
"We need everyone to get right behind this club and for everyone to pull in the same direction to get out of this. You need someone to grab the club and galvanise," he added.
"What's important is the manager and the staff he brings in creates an identity that the fans can buy into again and get right behind. That's the first step, getting that right. In the short term, that has to be addressed.
"It's having something for the fans to buy into and get behind, because they will be so, so important in getting the club back up again."
Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:16 pm
Interesting comment? "Quote" don't believe can be a player/manager it's one or other? So we'll
have to wait and see..... my focus is on Norwich?
Does that mean door is slightly open or it's just a throw away comment
Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:43 pm
He talks very well on a lot of subjects, straight forward, no beating around the bush & no bullshit answers. Hopefully one day when he decides to hang up his boots we see him here in some capacity, seems very well balanced & knows what he wants & more importantly doesn't want. If some of our so-called players had 10% of his passion and even want to do the right thing we wouldn't be where we are.
Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:58 pm
Welshman in CA wrote:He talks very well on a lot of subjects, straight forward, no beating around the bush & no bullshit answers. Hopefully one day when he decides to hang up his boots we see him here in some capacity, seems very well balanced & knows what he wants & more importantly doesn't want. If some of our so-called players had 10% of his passion and even want to do the right thing we wouldn't be where we are.
Totally agree.
I don't think now is the time - for us or for him - but hope to see him as our manager in the future.
Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:19 pm
100% he wants to continue to play for Wales