Cardiff City legend backs Aaron Ramsey for job and names two candidates for director of football

The midfielder has been put in interim charge – but his future beyond the current season remains uncertain

Aaron Ramsey has been backed for the Cardiff City job full time (Image: Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

Former Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra has backed current interim boss Aaron Ramsey to lead the club next season, but also believes a director of football is needed to help steer the Bluebirds back in the right direction.

Chopra, who scored 65 goals in 145 appearances for the club across four different spells, believes next season is the “perfect opportunity” for Ramsey to begin his career in management, with Cardiff set to take their place in the third tier for the first time in 22 years following a disastrous season.

Ramsey was handed the reins on an interim basis following the sacking of Omer Riza, but was unable to prevent the club slipping out of the Championship, with their fate confirmed courtesy of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.

“I think he’s got the pedigree, there won’t be much pressure on him in League One,” Chopra told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“If Cardiff stayed in the Championship I would have been a bit wary of giving him the job but I think it’s the perfect opportunity for Aaron Ramsey and hopefully Chris Gunter because they’ve got great football knowledge.

“He knows the area, he’s a Cardiff fan. If he’s not going to get a chance at Cardiff City, where else is he going to get a chance of being a football manager?”

The Wales captain has suggested he would be keen on extending his playing career, although given his contract is up at the end of the season, his future looks uncertain.

A decision over the midfielder and more lie in wait for the Cardiff hierarchy, who have understandably found themselves in the firing line, and are yet to comment since relegation was confirmed.

The Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust have already called for an urgent meeting with owner Vincent Tan, with a number of topics they believe should be on the table, including a “lack of specialist football experience and knowledge at club board level”.

Chopra has echoed calls for a director of football to be appointed to help lead the club into the next campaign and beyond, and says former boss Dave Jones and old team-mate Stephen McPhail, who is currently Shamrock Rovers sporting director, would be ideal candidates.

He also says the hierarchy’s failure to attend games on a regular basis has shown a lack of respect to supporters.

“You just need someone who knows the club and knows football,” Chopra added.

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“There are people making decisions, footballing decisions that don’t really know what’s going on, on the pitch or what needs to happen behind the scenes.

“I get on really well with the people on the board, I like them as people. But to not turn up to football games to follow the team, when you are board members and things like that, I think it’s a little bit disrespectful.”

Cardiff have one final game before they bow out of the Championship, with Ramsey set to take his side to Norwich City on Saturday.

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