Oxford united FC
Chris Gunter addresses Aaron Ramsey Oxford United rumours
Ramsey was appointed Oxford head coach last month, replacing the sacked Matt Bloomfield, and is yet to have his backroom staff confirmed.
It is former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey’s first permanent head coach role, with the 35-year-old taking training for the first time last week as the U’s squad returned to the club for pre-season.
Ex-Reading and Cardiff City defender Gunter has been rumoured to be joining the new Yellows boss as his assistant.
The two Welshmen were teammates for their national team in their playing days, with Ramsey working with the Wales first team and manager Craig Bellamy whilst playing at Cardiff before later retiring.
Gunter’s Wales bowed out of the UEFA Men’s Under-19 Championships with a 3-0 defeat to Denmark at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground at the weekend, their third successive loss.
The Red Dragons had previously lost 7-0 to Spain and 4-0 against Germany in the eight-team tournament held in North Wales.
🚨 Matt Bloomfield breaks silence with LMA statement after Oxford United sacking
🗣️ “I was excited to continue this work and implement our clear vision”#oufc 🟡https://t.co/CGPB78uzoX pic.twitter.com/g1gyWkmSP6
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) July 3, 2026
After the loss to Denmark, Gunter was asked about the links to Oxford, telling the BBC : “I’ve been so busy making sure that we have appeared in this tournament.
“There’s been absolutely no time to be talking about potential moves or anything else other than that.”
United’s head of football operations, Ed Waldron, previously said that announcements on Ramsey’s backroom staff would soon be made.
“There’s still some bits to discuss and finalise but there will be an announcement in due course with Aaron’s staff and we’ll be ready to go,” Waldron said at the U’s new coach’s first press conference.
The U’s are travel to Spain for a pre-season warm-weather training camp on Sunday before returning and playing the first of their four friendlies on July 21 away at National League side Aldershot Town.
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Competitive action begins on August 8 in the Carabao Cup against Leyton Orient at the BetWright Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
The League One campaign kicks off a week late as the Yellows host newly-promoted MK Dons at the Kassam Stadium on August 15, with a 12:30 kick-off.
The U’s head into the season with an exciting young manager in his first permanent head coach role in Ramsey.
Oxford have made just one signing so far this summer with the arrival of Frankie Kent on a free transfer.
United have most recently been linked with Oxford-born winger Jordan Thomas who is currently a free agent after leaving Cheltenham Town at the end of last season.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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