Arteta inspiration as Ramsey eyes management future

Aaron Ramsey has described former team-mate Mikel Arteta as an inspiration, as the former Wales captain eyes a career in management.

Ramsey, 35, is studying for his pro licence – the top coaching qualification available – with the Football Association of Wales (FAW), just as Arteta did a decade ago.

Arteta leads Arsenal in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday having already won the Premier League title – and Ramsey's aim is to emulate the Gunners boss.

"It is inspiring because Mikel was here [studying] around 10 years ago, in the same position starting his journey," said Ramsey.

"That's inspiring for us, to see him 10 years later, lifting the Premier League and in the Champions League final.

"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 was an Arsenal player for 11 years, with Arteta alongside him between 2011 and 2016.

Wales legend Ramsey won three FA Cups during his time with the London giants, but the closest he came to the top-flight title was a second-placed finish in 2016.

Arsenal's Premier League triumph this season was their first since 2004 – and Ramsey was thrilled to see Arteta end the club's long wait.

"From a friend's perspective, I am really pleased for him, I know the amount of work he's put in and the dedication he has to making sure that he gives absolutely everything for his role and that club," he said.

"And I am so pleased for my team to have been able to win the Premier League this year."

Ramsey has been part of Craig Bellamy's Wales staff in an unofficial capacity in recent months.

He says he feels ready to move into a coaching job having called time on his 19-year playing career in April.

As a player, Ramsey joined Arsenal from boyhood club Cardiff City, then had spells with Juventus, Rangers and Nice before rejoining the Bluebirds in 2023.

He had a brief stint as Cardiff's interim boss in 2025 before ending his playing career with Mexican side Pumas UNAM last year.

Having had a break since making his last playing appearance last September, Ramsey says he wants to return to football because "it's always important to have a purpose in life".

"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 will be remembered as one of Wales' greatest players, having scored 21 goals in 86 international appearances and representing his country at three major tournaments.

He says Wales' defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-offs in March signalled the end of his time as a player.

"The thing for me was that the sort of carrot being dangled was the World Cup and obviously, every time I put on that Welsh shirt, it is the pinnacle of the game really for me," he said.

"I'm so proud to represent my country, so that was the thing that was keeping me going, really.

"Obviously [the World Cup] didn't come, but I'm extremely proud of what I've done as a player and now I have bigger plans to go into coaching."