**Des Buckingham Emerges as Leading Candidate for Cardiff City Manager Post Amid Ramsey Departure**
Cardiff City’s search for a new manager has taken a dramatic turn over the weekend, following a double setback that has left supporters and club officials reeling. The Bluebirds, who have been striving to appoint a successor to Omer Riza, are now facing fresh uncertainty after two leading contenders for the post have been ruled out in quick succession.
The first blow came on Friday, when Nathan Jones, long linked with a possible move to South Wales, chose to sign a fresh long-term contract with Charlton Athletic. This decision unequivocally ended speculation about Jones, a respected figure in the Championship, switching allegiances to take the reins at Cardiff.
The second, and arguably more significant, development unfolded on Sunday and involved none other than Aaron Ramsey, a Cardiff alumnus and club talisman. Although many fans had been hopeful that Ramsey would return to spearhead the Club, instead the Welsh international is reportedly on the verge of signing with Liga MX side Pumas, based in Guadalajara, Mexico, to continue his playing career. According to multiple reports over the weekend, including confirmation from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ramsey has agreed terms with the Mexican club, bringing to a close any notion of him replacing Riza at Cardiff, at least for the foreseeable future.
The potential move has prompted much discussion, both among supporters and across the wider football world. Ramsey’s decision to continue playing, especially abroad, has added a layer of complexity to Cardiff’s managerial search. Comments made by TV reporter Andrés Vaca on the ‘Seleccione2’ podcast on Saturday evening suggested the deal was “almost a confirmation”, and by Sunday morning, sources such as the Press Association were reporting the transfer as all but completed.
Amidst these developments, the process to find Cardiff’s new manager appears to have stalled. An announcement was previously expected as soon as the start of next week. Yet, with their primary targets now unavailable, Cardiff’s plans are inevitably shifting. Insiders hint that the club’s shortlist, compiled with the assistance of an independent agency and forwarded to owner Vincent Tan in Malaysia, will now need re-examination.
Against this backdrop, Des Buckingham has emerged as the new frontrunner for the coveted position. Buckingham, who last managed Oxford United and guided the side to promotion from League One before leaving the club in December, has consistently been in contention throughout Cardiff’s selection process. The 40-year-old, who remains unattached following his Oxford exit, is now being backed by bookmakers at odds of 1/1 to take over at Cardiff City Stadium.
Buckingham faces competition from Leicester City coach Brian Barry-Murphy and former Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt, who are priced at 6/4 and 10/3 respectively. Despite the fierce contest, the former Oxford boss’s experience and availability may give him the edge as Cardiff attempt to overcome these recent setbacks and re-focus their search.
Interestingly, Buckingham’s name has also been linked with the ongoing managerial vacancy at Plymouth Argyle, suggesting that a decisive period lies ahead for his career, as well as for the clubs considering his services.
For Cardiff City, the next managerial appointment will be crucial as the club looks to stabilise and progress. Fans, meanwhile, are left to ponder another twist in their club’s eventful search for leadership—one that, so far, has been marked by near misses and sudden changes in direction.
With Ramsey set to embark on a new adventure in Mexico, and preferred candidates like Jones out of the running, Cardiff City’s quest enters a new chapter. Supporters will eagerly await concrete news in the coming days as the Bluebirds seek fresh leadership for what promises to be another challenging season.