Riza is back in football following his dismissal from Cardiff City last season
Omer Riza has landed a new job(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Former Cardiff City boss Omer Riza has landed a new job.
The 46-year-old has been out of work since he was dismissed from his post in the capital towards the end of last season.
City legend Aaron Ramsey would go on to take interim charge, but couldn’t prevent Cardiff slipping out of the Championship and into the third tier for the first time since 2003. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
Riza is now set to link up with Chelsea legend Ashley Cole, who is currently in charge of Italian side Cesena.
Riza will work as Cole’s assistant at the Serie B side, who currently sit eighth in the second tier.
Ashley Cole is currently in charge of Italian side Cesena (Image: Getty)
Announcing the news on social media, Riza’s team at Khelz Sports Management wrote: “Our client. His moment.
“Ömer Rıza has been appointed Assistant Head Coach at Cesena FC — working alongside Ashley Cole in Serie B.”From Arsenal’s youth pitches to the England setup. From the Championship dugout at Cardiff City to Italian football.”The game rewards those who stay ready.”
According to Corriere Romagna, Riza was personally chosen by Cole, as he looks to cement his side’s place in the play-offs with five games to go. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Riza is believed to have agreed the move last week, and it’s claimed he was in attendance for Cesena’s 1-1 draw with Sudtirol Bolzano on Monday.
He briefly played with Cole for two seasons while coming through the youth set-up at Arsenal, but they also crossed paths as coaches back in 2021.
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Cole was assistant to England under-21s boss Lee Carsley, while Riza held a similar role with the under-17s before leaving for a role at Watford and then Cardiff.
He was appointed assistant to Erol Bulut in 2024, taking initial interim charge when the Turkish coach was sacked following a poor start to the 24/25 season.
Riza was then handed the role permanently in the December, before leaving the following April.
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