Omer Riza offers advice to everyone at Cardiff after his sacking, while his interim replacement Aaron Ramsey pleads with fans.
Following his dismissal as Cardiff boss, Omer Riza shared a message of unity and gratitude, urging the club to come together to avoid relegation.
He expressed confidence in Cardiff’s ability to survive in the Championship, thanked the players and fans for their support – specially during the personal loss of his father earlier in the year – and also acknowledged his tenure’s challenges, including a controversial remark where he called some fans “clueless” for their criticism.
Aaron Ramsey, appointed interim manager for Cardiff City’s final three Championship games, made an emotional plea to fans in his first interview as boss.
Speaking ahead of a crucial match against Oxford United, Ramsey highlighted the importance of fan support, while also acknowledging Oxford’s strength but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete with high energy and intensity, aiming to galvanise supporters for the relegation fight.
Both Riza and Ramsey’s messages reflect a call for unity and resilience as Cardiff City, sitting 23rd in the Championship with 42 points and one point from safety, face a critical juncture with games against Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City remaining.
Omer Riza via Instagram. 📲🔵 pic.twitter.com/Yfs0xofrw5
— ccfcinsider (@ccfcinsiderr) April 19, 2025
Riza said, per Wales Online: “I would like to take this time to reflect on this season so far.
“Firstly I would like to thank TanSri and the board for the opportunity given to me to steer Cardiff City away from relegation.
“Although not quite there yet I firmly believe we will survive.
“I would also like to thank the players who I had a great relationship with and staff for their continued drive and togetherness to achieve this.
“This season I have had the pleasure of introducing our youngsters at the club on a regular basis which will hopefully give Cardiff City something to really talk about in the future.
“The staff around the ground and stadium have all been supportive throughout and I wish you all the very best.
“To the fans I would like to say I hope we enjoyed some moments , The Jacks at home, Watford’s 18 game unbeaten run that we stopped, Plymouths 5-0 win , and other memorable moments.
“The support you gave me after the loss of my father Josh is one I will never forget and appreciate.
“The city, the club, the fans , players and board , you can only do this if you do it together .
“Thank you for everything The Ups and the Downs will make us stronger .
“CityAsOne.”
In his first interview as boss, Aaron Ramsey said to the club’s website: “We’ve still got a lot of football to play, starting on Monday. It’s a huge game – there’s no question about that.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’re ready for that, we’re prepared. We’ll have meetings tomorrow to get the boys in the best possible place. Hopefully we’ll get the lads in a good place to be able to show what we’re all about, and get that momentum going.
“Oxford are a well structured team, and have done well of late. We’re expecting a tough game, but we’ll be working on things this evening, and hopefully we can cause them a few problems. The energy and intensity that we want to play at will ask them some questions.
“I’m looking for a really energetic performance, on the front foot, and hopefully we can implement the way that I see the game into the match on Monday.
“It’s massively important. They understand the club, they’re fans of the club, and I think that will really relay into the players, for them to realise the responsibility that we have as a group of players and staff. There’s people there that really care, and I want that to be implemented around the team.
“The fans are huge for us. I’m really looking forward to seeing our fans getting right behind the team and playing their part. They’ve been really patient with us this season, and I thank them for that.
“Hopefully now in this last three games, starting on Monday, they can get right behind us and help us get over the line. I know what it’s like to be a Cardiff fan, and I can relate to them. Please get behind this team now, because we’ll give you everything on Monday and for the remaining two games.
“It’s all about togetherness and sticking by each other now. We need to get out of the situation we’re in, there’s no two ways about that. Hopefully we’ll have something to celebrate at the end of the season.”
Twitter users reacted as Omer Riza offers advice to everyone at Cardiff after his sacking while Aaron Ramsey pleads with fans…
@TroyCcfc18: With a squad like ours, shouldn’t even be thinking of relegation. Fair play on jacks game but mr riza you was out of your depth unfortunately
@bobbankvillage: He can’t help himself can he. Just give it a few days at least before hand fisted flattery
@Rhun_Johnson: Nice bloke, difficult job. Cant knock him for trying, this has been coming for years unfortunately..
@CraigMallett9: Might be too late. But you never know. Was dreading Monday. Now can’t wait. This will galvanise the club. Even league 1 doesn’t look as grim without riza here
@Leightonauthor: He had to go but everyone could see this should have happened weeks ago. Total insanity to leave it this late. Good luck Rambo! Everyone is with you!
@EckettSam: I think decent post from riza, not wrong in what he has said. He tried but was out of his depth at this level. Weather we stay up is another question now and is down to the players solely to fight for survival and kick on next season. Thanks riza but little to late maybe for us.
@svendcarr17: I fucking hope the CCS is absolutely bouncing on Monday. Get behind em and they’re going to do it babayyyy come onnnn why am I excited
@ccfc_williams: Night and day difference when you have a manager that cares
@oliverCCFCrees: No excuses from the fans now, we’ve got what we wanted (yes maybe too little to late) but let’s get behind Ramsey and the boys Monday onwards 💙
@CCST1927: The fans’ will be right up for the Oxford game, Rambo. You can be sure of that.
@MichaelBal51521: What a difference it makes when you have someone in charge who cares about the club and the fans. Hopefully, we’ll see a front footed peeformance on Monday with the urgency needed to win the game. We have a much better team than Oxford on paper, let’s show it 💙
@nns1796: 9 points incoming. A manager who knows the club and will run through brick walls to save us. We believe. 💙
HAVE YOUR SAY –
Can you see Aaron Ramsey guiding Cardiff to safety? What do you make of his and Riza’s comments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @fan_banter
Can you see Cardiff being relegated to League One? #ccfc #bluebirds
— Fan Banter (@fan_banter) April 19, 2025
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