Aaron Ramsey has insisted there is "absolutely not" any chance of him coming out of retirement to play for Oxford United despite the club's ongoing transfer embargo.
The former Cardiff City and Arsenal star, who took charge of the U's in June after ending his playing career in April, was asked whether the restrictions on Oxford's transfer business could tempt him back on to the pitch. Ramsey, though, laughed off the suggestion, insisting his focus is now solely on management.
Transfer Embargo and SCMP Regulations
Oxford have been placed under a temporary English Football League transfer embargo after failing to comply with Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) regulations. The restrictions mean they cannot register any new players during the current transfer window and are expected to remain in place for the rest of the summer.
The embargo comes as the Professional Footballers' Association has launched legal proceedings against the EFL over the SCMP rules.
Ramsey's Retirement and Coaching Transition
Ramsey, who enjoyed two spells with his boyhood club Cardiff City before leaving to join Mexican side Pumas UNAM, announced his retirement from playing earlier this year. He has now made the transition into management and says there is no prospect of pulling the boots back on.
"Absolutely not," Ramsey said when asked if he could register himself as a player. "I'm ready for this opportunity now, and my playing days are firmly finished, so I'm excited with this now."
"It's been a really straightforward move [from playing to coaching] and one that I've been sort of building up for for the last few years with things going on off the field."
Focus on the Squad and Season Ahead
"We can control what we can, and that's been our real focus is on this group of players, which is why I took this job in the first place," he added. "I've seen the quality and what the potential of this group is, so for me nothing changes; we're fully committed and I'm just really excited to get stuck into the season now."
Ramsey's retirement brought the curtain down on a hugely-successful but injury-hit playing career that saw him represent Cardiff, Arsenal, Juventus, Rangers, Nice and Pumas, while also captaining Wales. He famously returned to Cardiff in the summer of 2023, but persistent fitness problems limited his appearances before he eventually stepped into coaching.
The 35-year-old's immediate focus is now on guiding Oxford through the League One campaign. They begin their season at home to MK Dons on Saturday before facing Stevenage, Huddersfield Town and Leicester City away from home.
Despite the current restrictions, Oxford remain hopeful the transfer embargo will be lifted before the January transfer window, allowing Ramsey to strengthen his squad in the second half of the campaign.
