Ex-Arsenal star favourite to become next Oxford United manager

The U’s parted ways with head coach Matt Bloomfield on Saturday almost two months after suffering relegation to League One late in the Championship season.

Bloomfield took over in January after Gary Rowett was sacked two days before Christmas and oversaw an upturn in form, but was unable to find enough points to guide Oxford to safety.

The club’s search for a new head coach is underway, with former Wales international Ramsey emerging as the bookmakers’ favourite to lead the Yellows into the 2026/27 season.

The Oxford Mail understands that there is longer-standing interest in Ramsey with the 35-year-old impressing the club’s higher-ups in an earlier meeting between the two parties.

After retiring from professional football in April of this year, it is understood that the three-time FA Cup winner is on the lookout for his first managerial role.

Ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey is favourite to become Oxford United’s next head coach (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

Ramsey has taken charge of a club briefly, receiving the reins at Cardiff City for a span of three games in 2025 after Omer Riza was dismissed by the Welsh outfit, seeing the Bluebirds relegated at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Caerphilly-born Welshman began his career at Cardiff before moving to Arsenal as a 17-year-old.

He spent 11 years with the Gunners, becoming a club hero, winning three FA Cups and two Community Shields.

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A move to Italian giants Juventus in 2019 saw him become a league title winner in his first season before spells at Rangers, OGC Nice, Cardiff and Mexican club UNAM closed out his impressive career.

If Ramsey were to be appointed Oxford boss, it would be follow the trend of young, big name managers taking over in League One along with former teammate Jack Wilshere at Luton Town and ex-Manchester United man Tom Cleverley at Plymouth Argyle.

Ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey is favourite to become Oxford United’s next head coach (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

Ramsey’s lack of head coach experience means it would come with its risks, however it would be a statement of intent and a bold move from head of football operations Ed Waldron, new chairman Dusan Bogdanovic and owner Erick Thohir.

United are currently looking for their fifth boss in three years with the aim of staying in the second tier meaning the club moved to a more pragmatic style of football under Rowett.

They then acted again when the former Yellows head coach began last season poorly, bringing in Bloomfield in an attempt to replicate the impact that his predecessor had in the previous campaign.