​Oxford United have confirmed the addition of two new coaches to head coach Aaron Ramsey’s staff, with Chris Gunter and Tom Hutton joining the club as part of the upgraded backroom team. Ramsey, who is forming his own coaching setup at the Kassam Stadium, has recruited his former Wales teammate Gunter, who is 36 years old, to serve as assistant head coach, while Hutton, aged 38, will take on the role of first-team coach.
Gunter’s football journey includes a long playing career at Reading, where he made more than 300 appearances, and he earned in excess of 100 caps for Wales. He joined Ramsey’s circle as part of the Wales set-up during Euro 2024 qualifying and, since retiring from playing in 2023, he has remained involved in coaching the Wales national system, most recently leading the Under-19 side at the European Championships this summer. His varied experience in both club and country coaching will bring a wealth of knowledge to Oxford United, complementing the club’s existing coaching resources.
Hutton comes to Oxford with a background in development and youth coaching. He previously coached Cardiff City’s under-18s and has experience within the Wales Under-19 set-up, building a track record of working with young players and helping them progress. Both Gunter and Hutton were part of Ramsey’s coaching team during his interim spell as Cardiff City’s head coach in 2025, giving the new Oxford boss a familiar and trusted duo to help implement his methods.
Ramsey spoke warmly about the pair, saying he is excited to add Chris and Tom to the club and believes their arrival strengthens an already robust coaching staff. He emphasized his familiarity with both coaches, noting that Chris, in particular, brings qualities that will be valuable to the group. Ramsey described the added energy, fresh ideas, and meticulous attention to detail that each will contribute, capabilities he believes will help push the team forward.
The manager also highlighted the broader philosophy behind the appointments, stressing the aim of cultivating an environment that promotes daily improvement for players. He believes the club now has a strong mix of personnel with established familiarity with the club and new voices able to inject momentum and fresh perspectives.
The announcements come at a moment of heightened scrutiny for Oxford United, as the club confirmed they had been placed under a transfer embargo by the English Football League. The embargo, disclosed the day of the coaching news, adds a layer of challenge for the squad as they navigate the window and plan ahead under Ramsey’s leadership. Despite the embargo, Oxford United have underscored their confidence in the new coaching team and their shared objective of developing players and maintaining progress on and off the pitch.
In summarizing the development, Ramsey pointed to the value of bringing in trusted collaborators who share his vision for a dynamic, detail-oriented approach to training and match preparation. He believes the combined experience of Gunter and Hutton, alongside the rest of the staff, will help create an environment that enables players to improve comprehensively every day, even amid the constraints of the current transfer restrictions.