Next Cardiff manager contenders after Omer Riza dismissal

As Aaron Ramsey's time as interim Cardiff boss comes to an end, we take a look at who may get the job on a permanent basis.

Potential next Cardiff managers

Nathan Jones

Despite leading Charlton Athletic to promotion via the League One play-offs, rumours have began to circulate suggesting Nathan Jones is a leading contender to take the vacant position at the Cardiff City Stadium.

A lifelong Bluebirds fan, Jones has previously made no secret of his ambition to one day manage Cardiff.

Jones has resurrected his managerial career following his Southampton dismissal by guiding Charlton back into the Championship.

Des Buckingham

Des Buckingham made his name in New Zealand as a coach, and after a spell with Mumbai City, Oxford United brought the local lad back home.

Replacing Liam Manning, who guided the U’s to the automatic promotion places following a superb start to the season, Buckingham wasn’t quite able to replicate the form showed under Manning, but after hitting a rough patch at the start of 2024, Buckingham guided Oxford into the play-offs, where the secured promotion with a win over Bolton in the final.

Fancied to be in the mix for relegation, Oxford started well on their return to the Championship, losing just three of their opening 11 fixtures, but a poor run of form saw the club part ways with Buckingham.

The 40-year-old has been out of work since, but his style of football is perhaps better suited to a better team, which Cardiff should establish themselves as in League One.

Aaron Ramsey

The sight of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey shaking hands in the dugout before Norwich played host to Cardiff at the end of the season was something to behold, and even though both men were in temporary charge of their respective clubs, there’s every chance they get the permanent gigs.

Ramsey said: “I love being in this role, I think the players have really bought into it. It’s been a real joy,” after his time as interim boss came to an end.

Ramsey has insisted he still wants to play, which could create a headache should the club be interested in bringing the 34-year-old back on a permanent basis, but the midfielder has been tipped for a prominent role in the dugout whenever he wants to make that step.

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has said: "I definitely see that part of him [management]... I believe it's starting to circle, because it does later on in your career.

"I'm quietly confident he will, I'm quietly confident he will see that part of the game for him. With his experiences and his knowledge, his understanding of the game, I'd be surprised if it wasn't at a high level.

"I speak to Aaron quite a lot, I try and involve him a lot in tactically what we look to do.”

Tommy Elphick

Perhaps a more left-field name, but Tommy Elphick may be ready to make the step up into senior management after spending the last few years at Bournemouth.

Hanging up his boots in 2021, Elphick joined Bournemouth’s development squad, later progressing to assistant coach following the appointment of Gary O’Neil.

Elphick stayed in post under Andoni Iraola and there are a few more talented managers to serve an apprenticeship under.

If Elphick is ready to make the step up, it may well be with the Bluebirds.