Oxford united FC
Former Arsenal star appointed new Oxford United head coach
Aaron Ramsey’s appointment has been officially announced today (Tuesday, June 23) after previous manager Matt Bloomfield was sacked on Saturday, June 20.
The Welshman takes over a side that is looking to immediately return to The Championship after its relegation last season.
Mr Ramsey said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be appointed head coach of Oxford United.
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“From my discussions with the club, I can sense the ambition and desire for success, which gives me great excitement about this opportunity.”
This will be the central midfielder’s first permanent managerial position after he presided over three games for Cardiff City at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Under his brief steward they lost once and drew twice finishing bottom of The Championship. He has also worked within the Wales Men’s National Team set-up.
Former Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield (Image: Jason Dawson)
Mr Ramsey continued: “This is a moment I have been preparing for over many years.
“I’ve played under some of the best managers in the game and experienced high-pressure environments throughout my career.
“I want to use what I’ve learnt to bring a culture of high standards, professionalism and work ethic to this talented group of players.”
Over an almost 20 year playing career, the Welshman played for Cardiff City, Arsenal, Juventus and Nice, with his managers including Arsene Wenger and Andrea Pirlo.
Ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey is the new Oxford United boss (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
He won three FA Cups, two Community Shields, a Serie A, a Coppa Italia, a Suppercoppa Italiana and a Scottish Cup, and was Arsenal’s Player of the Season twice.
In addition he played 86 times for Wales scoring 21 times, playing in a World Cup and the Euros.
Chairman of Oxford United Dusan Bogdanovic, said the club was determined to find a leader to shape the team’s “next stage of development”.
He added: “Aaron impressed at every stage and we are confident he is the right person to take this club forward.”
Meanwhile head of football operations, Ed Waldron, said that Mr Ramsey demonstrated the “character and drive” required for the role.
He said: “His footballing ideas match those that we have for the club and the squad, which makes this the right appointment at the right time.”
Oxford United were relegated from The Championship last season (Image: Jason Dawson)
Mr Waldron added that they are working closely with the new head coach to prepare for the upcoming League One campaign.
After two years in The Championship, Oxford United was relegated last season, finishing 22nd with 47 points.
The team’s new head coach said they will play with a “clear identity” and be “built on elite habits”.
READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal star favourite to become next Oxford United manager
He said: “My teams will play with a clear identity, be built on elite habits, with a commitment to improving every day.
“I want a squad that fights for the badge until the end, and one that makes our supporters proud.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role, and can’t wait to get started, meet the players, and connect with our supporters as we strive to bring success.”
The club has said an announcement will be made on Aaron Ramsey’s coaching staff in due course
Oxford united FC
Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey on long-awaited Huddersfield clash
The Yellows travel to West Yorkshire on Tuesday night for their third League One fixture of the season.
Ramsey’s side have drawn and won each of their first couple of third-tier games so far and will face Huddersfield for the first time in a competitive match since 2004.
The Terriers have begun the campaign with the same record, looking impressive under manager Martin Drury.
Oxford beat last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stevenage last time out, two second-half strikes seeing a resolute United past their physical opponents.
“We want to be on the front foot,” Ramsey reiterated ahead of the trip to the Accu Stadium.
“We want to be controlling games and that’s the way that my staff and I feel like is the best way to do that and win football games.
“It’s difficult to just keep taking blows and blows and trying to keep the opposition.
“For me, it’s to have as much control on the game as possible.”
The last time Oxford faced off against the Terriers was in March 2004 when they were beaten 1-0 at home in the Third Division.
In their 26 total match-ups, the Yellows have won just nine whilst Huddersfield have come away victorious on 13 occasions.
Drury’s side finished ninth in the third tier last season but, after bringing in some good new signings, are set for a strong campaign in a competitive league.
“They’re a really good team,” Ramsey admitted.
“The manager has implemented his ideas across there and you can see that they’re a settled team with good ideas.
Oxford United manager Aaron Ramsey (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
“But, again, full focus is on us and on how we want to approach the game.
“We’ve had a few tests so far, which we really stood up to.
“So, it’ll be different on Tuesday, another tough test, but one that will prepare the boys as best we can.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
“When the boys are playing the way that they are and buying into it, yeah, of course, there has to be positivity around there.
“Obviously, as well, there’s moments when we do look back on things and we identify areas that we can improve on.
“We want to win football games, so we need to score goals. We want to be exciting.”
Tuesday night also sees the arrival of transfer deadline day.
11PM – approximately an hour after full time in West Yorkshire – sees the window slam shut.
Oxford remain under a temporary transfer embargo, however Ramsey has said that the club is “working to try and come up with a few things” after Stanley Mills left for Championship club Preston North End last week.
Oxford united FC
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What next for Oxford United after Stanley Mills departure
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.”
Stan Mills has joined Preston (Image: Jason Dawson)
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
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
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.
Oxford United’s Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown’s goal against Preston North End (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)
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.
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