Jack Wilshere couldn’t be happier that ex-Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsey has secured his first permanent managerial job.
But the 34-year-old has joked he hopes the newly-appointed Oxford United boss doesn’t have too much luck with the duo to compete against each other in the 2026/27 season.
4
Ramsey hasn’t wasted time in his quest to become a first team manager having only hung up his boots in April.
Backed to be a future Wales manager by current boss Craig Bellamy, the 35-year-old has taken over an Oxford side that have been relegated from the Championship – resulting in Matt Bloomfield being sacked over the weekend after just five months.
Tipped as one of the early bookmakers’ favourite to achieve promotion back to England’s second-tier, the U’s will be battling Wilshere’s Luton Town.
Wilshere landed his first manager’s gig in October 2025, as just like Ramsey, he also replaced Bloomfield.
In his first campaign at the helm, he guided the Hatters to Vertu Trophy glory, while taking them to seventh spot – one point off the play-offs.
It won’t be the first time that the two Gunners cult heroes have come up against each other in the dugout.
In the final day of the 2024/25 Championship season, Ramsey and Wilshere were placed in interim charge at Cardiff and Norwich respectively.
And it was Wilshere that came out on top, as the Canaries won 4-2 at Carrow Road against the already-relegated Bluebirds.
What has Wilshere said about Ramsey’s new job?
The Hale End graduate appeared on the eSPORTY World Cup Breakfast Show on Wednesday, where he was asked whether the Welshman has the abilities needed to be a success.
To which he said: “Oh yeah he definitely has, he definitely has, you could see that from his playing days.
4
4
“He was a quiet guy who kind of went about his business, was very professional with how he prepared.
“I haven’t spoke to him, probably the last time I spoke to him was [when] he was Cardiff interim, I was Norwich interim and we played against each other.
“I spoke to him after that and I knew that his ambition was to go on and be a coach and good luck to him.
“I’m happy for him, because League One is a bit mad and to take your first step in at that level, not every ex-player wants to do that.
“You have to graft, you have to really love it and he’s taking that step.
“So yeah, good luck to him, not too much luck because we want to finish above them and they’ll be good next year, but I’m happy for him.”
4
Top Guns
Ramsey and Wilshere played together at Arsenal 101 times, with the duo part of the club’s 2014 and 2015 FA Cup triumphs.
Wilshere, who has only played with Wojciech Szczesny [133] on more occasions, made his Premier League debut in the same game as Ramsey.
Both of the former midfielders came on as second half substitutes in a 3-1 win against Blackburn in September 2008.
The last time they graced the pitch at the same time came almost ten years later in May 2018.
Arsene Wenger named the pair in his line-up as Arsenal lost 1-0 away at Atletico Madrid to be dumped out of the Europa League semi-finals.
World Cup WhatsApp
Don’t miss an update from eSPORTY in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.
Search for ‘eSPORTY World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure eSPORTY energy.
It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings.
Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.
