AARON RAMSEY has twin dreams — to be boss of Arsenal and Wales.
The Gunners icon, 35, and has set his sights on a top coaching career.
Former Arsenal hero Aaron Ramsey recently announced his retirement from football Credit: GETTY
Ramsey called time on his career earlier this month after a brief stint in Mexico with Pumas UNAM Credit: Reuters
Ramsey scored two FA Cup final-winning goals for and was one of ‘ greatest players, but he wants to reach the pinnacle again.
Ramsey told SunSport: “It’s to get to the top. If I do something I want to do it as best as I can.
“That will be the target. We will see how things pan out.”
When asked if the Arsenal or Wales jobs are on his long-term radar, Ramsey, who was caretaker at boyhood club Cardiff for three games at the end of last season, said: “That would be the dream.
“I know there is a long way to go before then. It’s time to go into coaching now. 100 per cent.
“I managed Cardiff for a few games but that just made me realise it’s definitely the next step for me. That will be on the cards next.
“I’m really excited. I’ve had some coaching exposure around the Wales set-up, working with some unbelievable staff there and I’ve done some work with Cardiff’s U18s so I’ve been keeping myself busy.”
Ramsey spent 11 years at Arsenal between 2008-2019 and made more than 350 appearances for the Gunners.
Aaron Ramsey has set his sights one day managing Arsenal and Wales Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK
And the ex-midfielder, who took part in a club event in Indonesia last week, still believes ‘s men can complete a Premier League and double this season.
Arsenal are battling it out with Manchester City in the title race while Arteta’s men travel to Spain for a Euro semi-final first leg tie with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Ramsey added: “I’m still quite confident and optimistic in the league and Europe. We’ve been flawless in the Champions League.
“It’s not going to be easy against Atletico, I know how stubborn they can be as I’ve played against them. It can be difficult to break them down. But I feel Arsenal have enough to get to the final.”
Ramsey following a play-off semi-final penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It wasn’t the “fairytale ending” he wanted for his career but the ex-Juventus ace, who won 86 caps and also played at three major tournaments for Wales, looks back with pride.
Ramsey said: “I tried to keep all options open for as long as possible but I knew many things had to align for the World Cup to happen.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t but I had to give myself that chance. I’m comfortable with the decision I’ve made.
“When I look back, maybe I didn’t get the fairytale ending I dreamt of. But when I look back on what I achieved, my career as a whole has been a fairytale.
“I’m very honoured, grateful and blessed. Captaining my country, scoring FA Cup final winners, winning the league in Italy and the 2016 Euros semi-finals. I’m happy.”
Ramsey has one more race to run this season – the .
Aaron Ramsey had the briefest of spells in charge of his boyhood team Cardiff City Credit: Getty
He is taking on the 26.2-mile course for the first time to raise money for the It’s Never You Charity , which was founded by friends Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis, who lost their six-year-old son Hugh to cancer in September 2021.
He said: “As a charity, it’s really close to my heart. I know Ceri, Fran and the family.
“Hugh and my eldest boy Sonny were a similar age and used to play with each other.
“I can’t imagine what Ceri and Fran went through. So it means a lot to me to help them as much as I can. I’m doing it for them.”
Ramsey has been training hard over the last few months but he is excited to sample the capital’s iconic sights.
He said: “It’s one of the biggest marathons, if not the biggest. What better way to start! It’s great for me to do it in London where I spent so many years playing for Arsenal.
“I’ll probably see more sights than I did when I lived there. I’m looking forward to running across Tower Bridge. It’s such a landmark.
“It will be good mentally because that is around the halfway point. It will be a nice point in the race for me.”
Visit 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/aaron-ramsey for more information on Aaron’s charity run.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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