Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is emerging as the leading contender to become Oxford United's next manager following the club's relegation from the Championship.
Oxford are searching for a new boss after parting company with Matt Bloomfield on Saturday, with the U's preparing for life back in League One and hoping to secure an immediate return to the second tier.
According to the Oxford Mail, Ramsey has long been admired by figures within the club and is now viewed as the favourite to take charge at the Kassam Stadium.
The report claims the 35-year-old made a strong impression on Oxford's hierarchy during a previous meeting, with decision-makers believing he could be the ideal candidate to oversee a long-term rebuild.
Ramsey only brought the curtain down on his playing career earlier this year after enjoying a glittering spell with Arsenal, where he won three FA Cups and established himself as one of the Premier League's standout midfielders.
The former Wales international is now turning his attention towards management and is currently studying for his UEFA Pro Licence through the Welsh Football Association.
It is the same pathway followed by former Arsenal team-mate Mikel Arteta, whose success at the Emirates Stadium has helped inspire Ramsey's own ambitions in the dugout.
Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is emerging as the leading contender to become Oxford United's next manager following the club's relegation from the Championship
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Speaking to the BBC last month, Ramsey admitted Arteta's rise from coaching student to Premier League-winning manager had provided added motivation.
"It is inspiring because Mikel was here around 10 years ago, in the same position starting his journey," Ramsey said.
"That's inspiring for us, to see him 10 years later, lifting the Premier League and in the Champions League final.
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Oxford United were relegated from the Championship last season
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"I want to win all the big things in the game. That's the goal, that's the target – to get as good as I can to make that a reality."
Ramsey also insisted he has no intention of stepping away from football despite calling time on his playing days.
"It's not in my DNA to just put my feet up," he added.
"I feel ready, but that all depends on the opportunity, doesn't it? So what that will look like will be different from different clubs, different age groups and all of that.
"For me, I feel ready to coach, to manage, to be inspiring to a group of players, and we'll see what comes up."
Ramsey has already gained experience on the coaching side of the game after working alongside Wales manager Craig Bellamy and also enjoyed a brief spell in interim charge of Cardiff City towards the end of his playing career.
Aaron Ramsey pictured during his time at Arsenal
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He first emerged at Cardiff before Arsenal signed him for £4.8million in 2008.
Ramsey went on to score 64 goals in 369 appearances for the north London club, producing memorable moments including FA Cup-winning strikes in 2014 and 2017.
A move to Juventus followed in 2019, where he made 70 appearances before later spells with Rangers and Nice.
He returned to Cardiff in 2023 and eventually finished his career with Mexican outfit UNAM.
Oxford's hierarchy now appear ready to hand Ramsey the chance to begin the next chapter of his football journey as they seek a swift route back to the Championship.