Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere made their Premier League debuts two minutes apart in 2008; a 17 and 16-year-old coming on as substitutes for Arsenal in a 4-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.
On Saturday, the two men will be reunited in opposing dugouts as fledgling coaches.
Wales captain Ramsey will be taking charge of Cardiff City for the third – and, for now, seemingly final – time when the already-relegated Bluebirds visit Norwich City in the Championship.
The 34-year-old is still registered as a Bluebirds player but was handed the reins on a temporary basis after Omer Riza was sacked last month.
As for Wilshere, 33, the former England midfielder has already retired and has stepped in as Norwich’s interim boss following the dismissal of Johannes Hoff Thorup after the Canaries missed out on the play-offs.
Although Ramsey harbours long-term coaching ambitions, he wants to continue playing next season, though his Cardiff contract expires this summer.
Before he decides on his next steps, the former Juventus midfielder is looking forward to being reunited with Wilshere, his former central midfield partner at Arsenal.
“I’ve been watching Jack’s career in the managerial role develop over the years, starting with the [Arsenal] Under-18s and going there [Norwich] as a coach, and now having that opportunity [to manage],” said Ramsey.
“So it will be a bit mad but I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”
