Gareth Ainsworth: Difference between revisions
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| image = Lucky Wycombe Comanche With Gareth Ainsworth.jpg |
| image = Lucky Wycombe Comanche With Gareth Ainsworth.jpg |
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| image_size = 200 |
| image_size = 200 |
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| caption = Ainsworth in 2011 |
| caption = Ainsworth (left) in 2011 |
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| fullname = Gareth Ainsworth<ref name="Hugman2003-04"/> |
| fullname = Gareth Ainsworth<ref name="Hugman2003-04"/> |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|5|10|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2003-04">{{Cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-651-6 |page=18}}</ref> |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|5|10|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2003-04">{{Cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004 |year=2003 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |isbn=1-85291-651-6 |page=18}}</ref> |
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| birth_place = [[Blackburn |
| birth_place = [[Blackburn]], England<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=ains01 |title=Gareth Ainsworth|work=redimps.com|access-date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929074432/http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=ains01|archive-date=29 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}<ref name="qpr.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10373~8760,00.html|title=Name: Gareth Ainsworth|work=qpr.co.uk|access-date=4 October 2011}}</ref> |
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}<ref name="qpr.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10373~8760,00.html|title=Name: Gareth Ainsworth|work=qpr.co.uk|access-date=4 October 2011}}</ref> |
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| position = [[Midfielder]] |
| position = [[Midfielder]] |
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| currentclub = |
| currentclub = [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] (head coach) |
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| clubnumber = |
| clubnumber = |
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| youthclubs1 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] |
| youthclubs1 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] |
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| manageryears4 = 2023 |
| manageryears4 = 2023 |
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| managerclubs4 = [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] |
| managerclubs4 = [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] |
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| manageryears5 = 2024– |
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| managerclubs5 = [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Gareth Ainsworth''' (born 10 May 1973) is an English professional [[Manager (association football)|football manager]] |
'''Gareth Ainsworth''' (born 10 May 1973) is an English professional former [[Football player|player]] and [[Manager (association football)|football manager]] who is the head coach of {{English football updater|ShrewsbT}} club [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]]. |
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A former youth player at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], the [[midfielder]], who was known for his [[Cross (association football)|crossing]] ability, moved to [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] in 1992 after impressing at [[Non-League football|non-League]] [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]]. He signed for [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]], who in turn [[Loan (sports)|loan]]ed him back to Northwich, and returned to Preston in 1993, establishing himself in the first-team during his second spell. Sold on to [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] in 1995, his performances earned him a place on the PFA [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] [[PFA Team of the Year|Team of the Year]] in 1996–97, resulting in a [[Pound sterling|£]]500,000 move to [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]. After being named |
A former youth player at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], the [[midfielder]], who was known for his [[Cross (association football)|crossing]] ability, moved to [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] in 1992 after impressing at [[Non-League football|non-League]] [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]]. He signed for [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]], who in turn [[Loan (sports)|loan]]ed him back to Northwich, and returned to Preston in 1993, establishing himself in the first-team during his second spell. Sold on to [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] in 1995, his performances earned him a place on the PFA [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] [[PFA Team of the Year|Team of the Year]] in 1996–97, resulting in a [[Pound sterling|£]]500,000 move to [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]. After being named the [[Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year]] in 1998, Ainsworth was sold to [[Premier League]] club [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] for £2 million. Injuries at the club dogged him, and following loan spells with Preston and [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], he moved to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] in March 2003. He signed with [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in June 2003, where he spent seven years. During his time at QPR, he helped the club to [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] from the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] in 2003–04, and twice served as [[caretaker manager]]. |
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Following a short loan period, he joined [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] in February 2010. He was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year in 2010–11, as Wycombe won promotion. After a short period as caretaker manager, he was appointed manager in November 2012. He retired from regular playing appearances to concentrate on management in April 2013 but remained registered as a player. He led the club to promotion from [[EFL League Two|League Two]] at the end of the 2017–18 season and then from [[EFL League One|League One]] in 2020, securing a place in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] for the first time in the club's history. He left Wycombe in February 2023 to become head coach of QPR, where he would remain for eight months. He was appointed head coach at Shrewsbury Town in November 2024. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Ainsworth was born in [[Blackburn]]. His mother worked as a professional singer during the 1960s while his father worked |
Ainsworth was born in [[Blackburn]] in [[Lancashire]]. His mother worked as a professional singer during the 1960s, while his father worked several jobs, including as a bookmaker, a driving instructor and a factory clerk. His parents were avid music fans and his mother taught Ainsworth to sing as a child. He is a supporter of [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] and became a season ticket holder at the age of six.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wycombe-wanderers/11414197/Gareth-Ainsworth-It-would-be-interesting-to-see-me-and-Louis-van-Gaal-do-each-others-jobs-for-one-week.html |title=Gareth Ainsworth: It would be interesting to see me and Louis van Gaal do each other's jobs for one week |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |last=Winter |first=Henry |date=15 February 2015 |access-date=17 May 2019}}</ref> He attended [[St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School, Billington]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flanagan |first=Chris |date=27 April 2013 |title=Six hundred and out as Ainsworth calls it quits |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/10384270.six-hundred-ainsworth-calls-quits/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Playing career== |
==Playing career== |
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===Early career=== |
===Early career=== |
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Ainsworth started his career as a trainee with [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] club [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] |
Ainsworth started his career as a trainee with [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] club [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]. Despite forming a useful partnership with [[Peter Thorne (English footballer)|Peter Thorne]], he was not offered professional terms at the end of his two-year training period.<ref name="double">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/2854921.stm|title=Cardiff make double signing|date=17 March 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He had been hopeful of earning a professional [[Association football contracts|contract]] but was informed of his release by manager [[Don Mackay]] on his 18th birthday. He later described his release from his hometown club as "devastating" and admitted walking into the car park at the ground and crying.<ref name="Telegraph"/> |
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He dropped into the [[National League (English football)|Football Conference]] with [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]], scoring his first goal in the 3–1 home victory over [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] on 26 October 1991. His form attracted the attention of [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] club [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] and, in January 1992, they offered him a second chance at the professional game. Released at the end of the [[1991–92 Preston North End F.C. season|1991–92]] season, Ainsworth joined [[Football League First Division|First Division]] [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] under the management of [[John Beck (footballer)|John Beck]]. Ainsworth had a spell on [[Loan (sports)|loan]] with former club Northwich Victoria, making his second debut for the "Vics" in a 2–1 home victory over [[Bromsgrove Rovers F.C.|Bromsgrove Rovers]] on 5 September 1992. |
He dropped into the [[National League (English football)|Football Conference]] with [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]], scoring his first goal in the 3–1 home victory over [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] on 26 October 1991. His form attracted the attention of [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] club [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] and, in January 1992, they offered him a second chance at the professional game. Released at the end of the [[1991–92 Preston North End F.C. season|1991–92]] season, Ainsworth joined [[Football League First Division|First Division]] [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] under the management of [[John Beck (footballer)|John Beck]]. Ainsworth had a spell on [[Loan (sports)|loan]] with former club Northwich Victoria, making his second debut for the "Vics" in a 2–1 home victory over [[Bromsgrove Rovers F.C.|Bromsgrove Rovers]] on 5 September 1992. Cambridge sacked Beck in October 1992 but was swiftly appointed [[Manager (association football)|manager]] at Preston North End, and in December returned to the Abbey Ground to sign Ainsworth. |
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===Preston North End=== |
===Preston North End=== |
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===Port Vale=== |
===Port Vale=== |
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In September 1997 he signed for [[John Rudge]]'s First Division Port Vale for a [[List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|club record]] £500,000 fee; he was signed to replace [[Jon McCarthy]] and [[Steve Guppy]], wingers who had been sold for a combined £2.35 million earlier in the year.<ref name="Ainsworth fired">{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=When Ainsworth fired Port Vale to double over Manchester City|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/when-gareth-ainsworth-helped-port-vale-complete-double-over-manchester-city/story-30478272-detail/story.html|access-date=12 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=11 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> He became the club's [[Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year|Player of the Year]] for his performances in the [[1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season|1997–98]] season, helping the "Valiants" to narrowly avoid [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] above [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Potteries derby|local rivals]] [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref name="Ainsworth fired"/> He was though criticized for an 'ugly' [[Tackle (football move)|tackle]] on [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]'s [[Dane Whitehouse]] in November that resulted in the player's early retirement due to a serious leg injury sustained from the challenge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Port Vale 0 Sheffield United 0 |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/sheffu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/97/11/22/SOCCER_Port_Vale_Lead.html&TEAMHD=sheffu&DIV=nat1&TEAM=SHEFFIELD--UNITED&RH=Sheffield--United&PREV_SEASON=1996&BID= |work=sportinglife.com |access-date=8 May 2012 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Riley|first=Catherine|title=Football: Wright set to miss FA Cup semi-final|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-set-to-miss-fa-cup-semifinal-1153613.html|access-date=8 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=31 March 1998}}</ref> The club turned down a £1 million bid from [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] in summer 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Wow! - Port Vale hero Gareth Ainsworth scores 'worldie' at age 45 |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-ainsworth-goal-wycombe-vale-2733650 |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=8 April 2019}}</ref> However, Vale chairman [[Bill Bell (businessman)|Bill Bell]] did later accept an offer from another club, reportedly behind Rudge's back, who was [[Scout (association football)|scout]]ing in Sweden at the time.<ref name="ovfi">{{cite news |title=Ainsworth: I have massive respect for Rudge |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/01/ainsworth-massive-respect-rudge/ |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=27 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="sed">{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title='So chuffed' - John Rudge as Port Vale hero Gareth Ainsworth wins promotion |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/im-chuffed-john-rudge-port-4332876 |access-date=16 July 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 July 2020}}</ref> |
In September 1997, he signed for [[John Rudge]]'s First Division Port Vale for a [[List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|club record]] £500,000 fee; he was signed to replace [[Jon McCarthy]] and [[Steve Guppy]], wingers who had been sold for a combined £2.35 million earlier in the year.<ref name="Ainsworth fired">{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=When Ainsworth fired Port Vale to double over Manchester City|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/when-gareth-ainsworth-helped-port-vale-complete-double-over-manchester-city/story-30478272-detail/story.html|access-date=12 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=11 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> He became the club's [[Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year|Player of the Year]] for his performances in the [[1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season|1997–98]] season, helping the "Valiants" to narrowly avoid [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] above [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Potteries derby|local rivals]] [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref name="Ainsworth fired"/> He was though criticized for an 'ugly' [[Tackle (football move)|tackle]] on [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]'s [[Dane Whitehouse]] in November that resulted in the player's early retirement due to a serious leg injury sustained from the challenge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Port Vale 0 Sheffield United 0 |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/sheffu/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/97/11/22/SOCCER_Port_Vale_Lead.html&TEAMHD=sheffu&DIV=nat1&TEAM=SHEFFIELD--UNITED&RH=Sheffield--United&PREV_SEASON=1996&BID= |work=sportinglife.com |access-date=8 May 2012 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Riley|first=Catherine|title=Football: Wright set to miss FA Cup semi-final|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-set-to-miss-fa-cup-semifinal-1153613.html|access-date=8 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=31 March 1998}}</ref> The club turned down a £1 million bid from [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] in summer 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Wow! - Port Vale hero Gareth Ainsworth scores 'worldie' at age 45 |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-ainsworth-goal-wycombe-vale-2733650 |access-date=8 April 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=8 April 2019}}</ref> However, Vale chairman [[Bill Bell (businessman)|Bill Bell]] did later accept an offer from another club, reportedly behind Rudge's back, who was [[Scout (association football)|scout]]ing in Sweden at the time.<ref name="ovfi">{{cite news |title=Ainsworth: I have massive respect for Rudge |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2012/01/ainsworth-massive-respect-rudge/ |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |date=27 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="sed">{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title='So chuffed' - John Rudge as Port Vale hero Gareth Ainsworth wins promotion |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/im-chuffed-john-rudge-port-4332876 |access-date=16 July 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 July 2020}}</ref> |
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===Wimbledon=== |
===Wimbledon=== |
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He moved to [[Premier League]] side [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] in November 1998 for a £2 million fee, again a [[List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|club record]] for Port Vale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Rudge-huge-influence-career-says-Ainsworth/article-2916367-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Rudge was huge influence on career, says Gareth Ainsworth|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=20 November 2010|work=The Sentinel|access-date=20 November 2010}}</ref> His time at Wimbledon would be dominated by struggles against injury. He played |
He moved to [[Premier League]] side [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] in November 1998 for a £2 million fee, again a [[List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics|club record]] for Port Vale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Rudge-huge-influence-career-says-Ainsworth/article-2916367-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Rudge was huge influence on career, says Gareth Ainsworth|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=20 November 2010|work=The Sentinel|access-date=20 November 2010}}</ref> His time at Wimbledon would be dominated by struggles against injury. He played eight times in the [[1998–99 Wimbledon F.C. season|1998–99]] season, failing to score. He was limited to just two appearances in [[1999–2000 Wimbledon F.C. season|1999–2000]], though in the first of these, a 3–3 draw with [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] at [[St James' Park]], he scored two goals, including a last-minute [[Equaliser (sports)|equaliser]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/426645.stm|title=Gullit rocked by late leveller |
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|publisher=BBC|date=21 August 1999|access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> At the end of the season the "Dons"' were relegated to the First Division. |
|publisher=BBC|date=21 August 1999|access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> At the end of the season, the "Dons"' were relegated to the First Division. |
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He regained his fitness by January 2001 |
He regained his fitness by January 2001 and managed twelve league and six [[FA Cup]] games in [[2000–01 Wimbledon F.C. season|2000–01]]. After missing the entire first half of the [[2001–02 Wimbledon F.C. season|2001–02]] campaign, he returned to fitness only to find that he had lost his first-team place due to the form of promising youngster [[Jobi McAnuff]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/2533743.stm|title=Ainsworth eyes QPR switch|date=2 December 2002|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> Ainsworth was told that he was to be released in summer 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/wimbledon/1834442.stm|title=Dons quartet face exit|date=21 February 2002|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> and was allowed to join former club [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] on loan in April 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/1898478.stm|title=Ainsworth back at Preston|date=28 March 2002|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He played five games for Preston, scoring one goal against [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1901138.stm|title=Preston 4-0 Coventry|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=6 April 2002 |access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> He returned to Wimbledon to find that he was to be offered a new contract after the club announced it was considering [[Relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes|a potentially lucrative move to Milton Keynes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/wimbledon/2119942.stm|title=Dons talk to key pair|date=10 July 2002|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> |
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After six appearances for the "Dons" in [[2002–03 Wimbledon F.C. season|2002–03]], he was allowed to join [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] on loan in December. He scored for the "Saddlers" against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2606727.stm|title=Forest 1–1 Walsall|publisher=BBC|date=1 January 2003 |access-date=1 February 2010}}</ref> but his loan deal was not extended. He scored twice in nine games upon his return to Wimbledon |
After six appearances for the "Dons" in [[2002–03 Wimbledon F.C. season|2002–03]], he was allowed to join [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] on loan in December. He scored for the "Saddlers" against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2606727.stm|title=Forest 1–1 Walsall|publisher=BBC|date=1 January 2003 |access-date=1 February 2010}}</ref> but his loan deal was not extended. He scored twice in nine games upon his return to Wimbledon before March 2003, when he moved to Second Division club [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on a short-term deal for a "small fee".<ref name="double" /> The "Bluebirds" won [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the First Division as play-off winners. However, Ainsworth played no part in the victory over [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in the [[2003 Football League Second Division play-off final|final]] at the [[Millennium Stadium]]. His stay with the club was brief, as manager [[Lennie Lawrence]] told him that he could not guarantee him a first-team spot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/3028504.stm|title=Ainsworth set for QPR switch|date=28 June 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> Both before and after his release from Cardiff he was linked with a permanent move back to Walsall,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/walsall/2660473.stm|title=Lee back in for Ainsworth|date=15 January 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/walsall/2944946.stm|title=Lee cool on Ainsworth|date=28 May 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> but manager [[Colin Lee]] had limited funds available for new players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/walsall/2664549.stm|title=Lee admits cash woe|date=16 January 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> |
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===Queens Park Rangers=== |
===Queens Park Rangers=== |
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[[File:Gareth Ainsworth.png|thumb|upright|Ainsworth playing for [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in 2005]] |
[[File:Gareth Ainsworth.png|thumb|upright|Ainsworth playing for [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in 2005]] |
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Ainsworth signed for Second Division club [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in July 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/3036102.stm|title=Ainsworth joins QPR|date=1 July 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He scored twice on his debut, in a 5–0 win over [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] on 9 August 2003. Sixteen days later he made it five goals in four games with a brace against [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], one a [[Volley (association football)|volley]] from {{convert|35|yd}}, and another a powerful drive from the same distance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~22090,00.html|title=Rushden & D vs QPR|date=25 August 2003|work=qpr.co.uk|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> QPR won promotion to the First Division as Second Division runners-up at the end of the [[2003–04 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2003–04]] season.<ref name=prom04>{{cite news|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/gareth-ainsworth-relives-amazing-200304-season/ |title=Gareth Ainsworth relives 'amazing' 2003/04 season |author=Andy Watkins |publisher=QPR |date=24 April 2020 |access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref> |
Ainsworth signed for Second Division club [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in July 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/3036102.stm|title=Ainsworth joins QPR|date=1 July 2003|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He scored twice on his debut, in a 5–0 win over [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] on 9 August 2003. Sixteen days later, he made it five goals in four games with a brace against [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]], one a [[Volley (association football)|volley]] from {{convert|35|yd}}, and another a powerful drive from the same distance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~22090,00.html|title=Rushden & D vs QPR|date=25 August 2003|work=qpr.co.uk|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> QPR won promotion to the First Division as Second Division runners-up at the end of the [[2003–04 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2003–04]] season.<ref name=prom04>{{cite news|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/gareth-ainsworth-relives-amazing-200304-season/ |title=Gareth Ainsworth relives 'amazing' 2003/04 season |author=Andy Watkins |publisher=QPR |date=24 April 2020 |access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref> |
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Despite suffering |
Despite suffering a knee injury in [[2004–05 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2004–05]] that limited him to 23 appearances, manager [[Ian Holloway]] offered him a new contract at the end of the season after telling the media that "he's an important player to have around".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4382509.stm|title=Holloway praises winger Ainsworth |date=25 March 2005|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> During the disappointing campaign of [[2005–06 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2005–06]], Ainsworth came second in the Player of the Year awards behind [[Danny Shittu]], and finished [[List of Queens Park Rangers F.C. seasons|joint-top-scorer]] on eleven goals with [[Marc Nygaard]]. |
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During the [[2006–07 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2006–07]] season, Ainsworth struggled with injuries, and his season ended in April after a scan revealed that he had [[Bone fracture|broken]] his leg in a win over [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6542529.stm|title=Ainsworth to miss rest of season |date=10 April 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> During the [[2007–08 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2007–08]] season, he assisted new manager [[Luigi De Canio]] in addition to his 25 games, and stated his intention to move into [[Coach (sport)|coaching]] once his player career is over.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7332871.stm Ainsworth reveals management aim], bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2008.</ref> |
During the [[2006–07 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2006–07]] season, Ainsworth struggled with injuries, and his season ended in April after a scan revealed that he had [[Bone fracture|broken]] his leg in a win over [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6542529.stm|title=Ainsworth to miss rest of season |date=10 April 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> During the [[2007–08 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2007–08]] season, he assisted new manager [[Luigi De Canio]] in addition to his 25 games, and stated his intention to move into [[Coach (sport)|coaching]] once his player career is over.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7332871.stm Ainsworth reveals management aim], bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2008.</ref> |
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In May 2008, Ainsworth accepted a player |
In May 2008, Ainsworth accepted a player-coach role under the new QPR boss [[Iain Dowie]]. Dowie was sacked in October 2008, and Ainsworth was appointed as [[caretaker manager]].<ref name="QPR part company with boss Dowie">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7689062.stm|title=QPR part company with boss Dowie |date=24 October 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 January 2016}}</ref> On taking up the reins, Ainsworth announced that "QPR is very strong with the result of what happened and will stay strong, nothing is going to break us".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7693225.stm|title=Ainsworth proud to hold QPR reins |date=27 October 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> During his time in charge QPR managed to test [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] at [[Old Trafford]] in a [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] encounter that was only settled by a 76th minute [[Carlos Tevez]] goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7708789.stm|title=Man Utd 1-0 QPR |last=Lywon|first=Sam|date=11 November 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> This performance caused Ainsworth to believe that the club could achieve promotion to the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7724388.stm|title=Ainsworth eyes top flight for QPR |date=12 November 2008|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He remained on the club's coaching staff after [[Paulo Sousa]] was appointed as manager in November.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sousa is new QPR first team coach |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7736118.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 November 2008 |access-date=19 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112225008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7736118.stm |archive-date=12 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sousa's reign did not last long however, and on 9 April 2009, Ainsworth again took the role of caretaker manager.<ref name="QPR axe Sousa after just 26 games">{{cite news| title = QPR axe Sousa after just 26 games| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7993079.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 9 April 2009| access-date = 24 January 2016}}</ref> |
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He was considered for the vacant management position at former club [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/8238892.stm|title=Imps target 'up-and-coming' boss |date=4 September 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> |
He was considered for the vacant management position at former club [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] in September 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/8238892.stm|title=Imps target 'up-and-coming' boss |date=4 September 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> |
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===Wycombe Wanderers=== |
===Wycombe Wanderers=== |
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On 20 November 2009 Ainsworth joined [[EFL League One|League One]] club [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] on a month-long loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5706796,00.html|title=Ainsworth heads to Wycombe|date=20 November 2009|work=Sky Sports|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He went on to sign an eighteen-month contract with Wycombe in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/wycombe_wanderers/8489702.stm|title=Wycombe Wanderers bag Gareth Ainsworth and Kevin McLeod |date=1 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] on 20 March 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8560663.stm|title=Wycombe 2–2 Exeter|publisher=BBC|date=20 March 2010 |access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> However, the club were relegated at the end of [[2009–10 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|the season]]. |
On 20 November 2009, Ainsworth joined [[EFL League One|League One]] club [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] on a month-long loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_5706796,00.html|title=Ainsworth heads to Wycombe|date=20 November 2009|work=Sky Sports|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He went on to sign an eighteen-month contract with Wycombe in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/wycombe_wanderers/8489702.stm|title=Wycombe Wanderers bag Gareth Ainsworth and Kevin McLeod |date=1 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] on 20 March 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8560663.stm|title=Wycombe 2–2 Exeter|publisher=BBC|date=20 March 2010 |access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> However, the club were relegated at the end of [[2009–10 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|the season]]. |
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The club achieved promotion out of [[EFL League Two|League Two]] at the first attempt in [[2010–11 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2010–11]], after finishing in the third automatic promotion spot, a single point ahead of [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]]. Ainsworth scored eleven goals in 46 appearances, and [[Captain (association football)|captain]]ed Wycombe to the 3–1 victory over [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] that ensured the club promotion on 7 May 2011.<ref name=prom11>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwfc.com/club/history/ |title=History |website=Wycombe Wanderers |access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref> Later that month Ainsworth signed a new one-year contract with the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13361390.stm|title=Gareth Ainsworth avoids Wycombe Wanderers shake-up|date=11 May 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> For his performances he was named on the PFA League Two [[PFA Team of the Year|Team of the Year]].<ref name="Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award">{{Cite news| title = Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award| url = http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13110874.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 17 April 2011| access-date = 17 September 2011}}</ref> However, the "Chairboys" were relegated straight back down in [[2011–12 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2011–12]], with Ainsworth scoring twice in 32 games. |
The club achieved promotion out of [[EFL League Two|League Two]] at the first attempt in [[2010–11 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2010–11]], after finishing in the third automatic promotion spot, a single point ahead of [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]]. Ainsworth scored eleven goals in 46 appearances, and [[Captain (association football)|captain]]ed Wycombe to the 3–1 victory over [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] that ensured the club promotion on 7 May 2011.<ref name=prom11>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwfc.com/club/history/ |title=History |website=Wycombe Wanderers |access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref> Later that month, Ainsworth signed a new one-year contract with the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13361390.stm|title=Gareth Ainsworth avoids Wycombe Wanderers shake-up|date=11 May 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> For his performances he was named on the PFA League Two [[PFA Team of the Year|Team of the Year]].<ref name="Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award">{{Cite news| title = Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award| url = http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13110874.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 17 April 2011| access-date = 17 September 2011}}</ref> However, the "Chairboys" were relegated straight back down in [[2011–12 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2011–12]], with Ainsworth scoring twice in 32 games. |
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Ainsworth retired from professional football on 27 April 2013, after playing his final game against his former club, Port Vale at [[Adams Park]] |
Ainsworth retired from professional football on 27 April 2013, after playing his final game against his former club, Port Vale, at [[Adams Park]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Chris|title=Gareth Ainsworth 'tearful' before Wycombe Wanderers retirement|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22301237|access-date=26 April 2013|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=26 April 2013}}</ref> However, he agreed to sign a two-year contract to remain as Wycombe manager.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/ainsworth-commits-to-the-chairboys-786413.aspx |title=Ainsworth commits to the Chairboys |publisher=Wycombe Wanderers | date=22 April 2013}}</ref> On 30 August 2016, Ainsworth came on as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] in the [[EFL Trophy]] against [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]], and provided an assist for [[Garry Thompson (footballer, born 1980)|Garry Thompson]] in a 3–0 victory.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/live-northampton-vs-wycombe-3280704.aspx|title=Report: Northampton 0-3 Wycombe|last=@wwfcofficial|access-date=2016-08-30}}</ref> Ainsworth later combined managerial duties at Wycombe with playing for [[Woodley United F.C.|Woodley United]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ainsworth back for Woodley United - Monday team news|url=https://www.footballinbracknell.co.uk/news/football-news/44704/gareth-ainsworth-back-for-woodley-united-monday-night-team-news/|date=2020-01-06|website=Football in Berkshire|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-09}}</ref> |
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==Managerial career== |
==Managerial career== |
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After a loss and a draw, he led the team to victory over [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] on 6 October, and provided the cross himself for the opening goal of the game.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe 2 - 1 Torquay|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19768612|access-date=13 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=6 October 2012}}</ref> In October, he signed Portuguese winger [[Bruno Andrade (Portuguese footballer)|Bruno Andrade]] on loan from QPR.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers bring in QPR winger Bruno Andrade|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19888165|access-date=13 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 October 2012}}</ref> A further win over [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]], Andrade scoring the only goal of the game, lifted the club out of the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fleetwood 0 - 1 Wycombe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19854823|access-date=13 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=13 October 2012}}</ref> Ainsworth was appointed as the club's manager on a permanent basis on 8 November.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ainsworth appointed permanent manager |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/ainsworth-appointed-permanent-manager-474512.aspx |access-date=8 November 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=8 November 2012}}</ref> In December 2012, the "Chairboys" gained ten out of a possible 15 points to rise ten points clear of the relegation zone – Ainsworth was recognised for this achievement by being nominated for the [[Football League Two Manager of the Month|division's manager of the month award]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Reece|title=Gaz nominated for manager of the month|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/gaz-nominated-for-manager-of-the-month-585813.aspx|access-date=8 January 2013|newspaper=wycombewanderers.co.uk|date=8 January 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, Ainsworth signed a new two-year managerial contract, and also announced his retirement as a player.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ainsworth commits to the Chairboys |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/ainsworth-commits-to-the-chairboys-786413.aspx |access-date=22 April 2013|newspaper=Wycombe Wanderers|date=22 April 2013}}</ref> |
After a loss and a draw, he led the team to victory over [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] on 6 October, and provided the cross himself for the opening goal of the game.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe 2 - 1 Torquay|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19768612|access-date=13 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=6 October 2012}}</ref> In October, he signed Portuguese winger [[Bruno Andrade (Portuguese footballer)|Bruno Andrade]] on loan from QPR.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers bring in QPR winger Bruno Andrade|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19888165|access-date=13 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 October 2012}}</ref> A further win over [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]], Andrade scoring the only goal of the game, lifted the club out of the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fleetwood 0 - 1 Wycombe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19854823|access-date=13 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=13 October 2012}}</ref> Ainsworth was appointed as the club's manager on a permanent basis on 8 November.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ainsworth appointed permanent manager |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/ainsworth-appointed-permanent-manager-474512.aspx |access-date=8 November 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=8 November 2012}}</ref> In December 2012, the "Chairboys" gained ten out of a possible 15 points to rise ten points clear of the relegation zone – Ainsworth was recognised for this achievement by being nominated for the [[Football League Two Manager of the Month|division's manager of the month award]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Reece|title=Gaz nominated for manager of the month|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/gaz-nominated-for-manager-of-the-month-585813.aspx|access-date=8 January 2013|newspaper=wycombewanderers.co.uk|date=8 January 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, Ainsworth signed a new two-year managerial contract, and also announced his retirement as a player.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ainsworth commits to the Chairboys |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/ainsworth-commits-to-the-chairboys-786413.aspx |access-date=22 April 2013|newspaper=Wycombe Wanderers|date=22 April 2013}}</ref> |
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Ainsworth lost striker [[Joel Grant]] to [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] at the start of the [[2013–14 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2013–14]] season,<ref>{{cite web|title=Grant joins Championship Yeovil|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/grant-joins-championship-yeovil-881798.aspx|work=wycombewanderers.co.uk|access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref> and signed attackers [[Jon-Paul Pittman]], [[Steven Craig]], and [[Paris Cowan-Hall]] to replace him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jon-Paul Pittman agrees to Wycombe Wanderers return|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23081599|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23408486|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Scottish striker Steven Craig|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2013|access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign winger Paris Cowan-Hall|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23053844|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 June 2013}}</ref> Defenders [[Dave Winfield (footballer)|Dave Winfield]] and [[Charles Dunne]] also left Wycombe for clubs in higher divisions (though Dunne was loaned back to Wycombe for the season as part of the [[Transfer (association football)|transfer]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave Winfield: Shrewsbury Town sign Wycombe defender|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22870272|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 June 2013|date=12 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe defender Charles Dunne completes Blackpool move|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23819402|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=23 August 2013}}</ref> He signed right-back [[Nick Arnold (footballer)|Nick Arnold]] and midfielder [[Billy Knott]] on loan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/arnold-arrives-at-adams-park-868561.aspx |title=Arnold arrives at Adams Park |publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Knott links up with Wycombe|url=http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2013/august/knott-heads-to-wycombe|publisher=Sunderland AFC|access-date=20 August 2013|date=20 August 2013}}</ref> In the January [[transfer window]] he sold 18-year-old centre-back [[Kortney Hause]] to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]], and signed 19-year-old former [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] winger [[Anthony Jeffrey]] on a [[Free transfer (association football)|free transfer]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer Deadline Day: Wolves sign Wycombe's Kortney Hause|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25992938|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=31 January 2014}}</ref> Wycombe ended an eight |
Ainsworth lost striker [[Joel Grant]] to [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] at the start of the [[2013–14 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2013–14]] season,<ref>{{cite web|title=Grant joins Championship Yeovil|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/grant-joins-championship-yeovil-881798.aspx|work=wycombewanderers.co.uk|access-date=4 May 2014}}</ref> and signed attackers [[Jon-Paul Pittman]], [[Steven Craig]], and [[Paris Cowan-Hall]] to replace him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jon-Paul Pittman agrees to Wycombe Wanderers return|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23081599|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23408486|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Scottish striker Steven Craig|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2013|access-date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign winger Paris Cowan-Hall|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23053844|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 June 2013}}</ref> Defenders [[Dave Winfield (footballer)|Dave Winfield]] and [[Charles Dunne]] also left Wycombe for clubs in higher divisions (though Dunne was loaned back to Wycombe for the season as part of the [[Transfer (association football)|transfer]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave Winfield: Shrewsbury Town sign Wycombe defender|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22870272|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 June 2013|date=12 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe defender Charles Dunne completes Blackpool move|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23819402|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=23 August 2013}}</ref> He signed right-back [[Nick Arnold (footballer)|Nick Arnold]] and midfielder [[Billy Knott]] on loan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/arnold-arrives-at-adams-park-868561.aspx |title=Arnold arrives at Adams Park |publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Knott links up with Wycombe|url=http://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2013/august/knott-heads-to-wycombe|publisher=Sunderland AFC|access-date=20 August 2013|date=20 August 2013}}</ref> In the January [[transfer window]] he sold 18-year-old centre-back [[Kortney Hause]] to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]], and signed 19-year-old former [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] winger [[Anthony Jeffrey]] on a [[Free transfer (association football)|free transfer]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer Deadline Day: Wolves sign Wycombe's Kortney Hause|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25992938|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=31 January 2014}}</ref> Wycombe ended an eight-match run without a win with a 1–0 victory over league leaders [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] on 22 February, earning Ainsworth a mention as the Football League manager of the week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week 17/02/14 - 23/02/14 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2014/february/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week-170214---230214/ |access-date=9 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=24 February 2014}}</ref> On the final day of the season Wycombe needed to win at [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] and hope results went their way elsewhere to stay up; they won their match 3–0 and finished outside of the relegation zone on [[goal difference]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pilnick|first=Brent|title=Torquay 0 - 3 Wycombe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27168109|access-date=4 May 2014|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=3 May 2014}}</ref> |
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He completely restructured the defence with free signings in preparation for the [[2014–15 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2014–15]] season, bringing in [[Joe Jacobson]], [[Peter Murphy (footballer, born 1990)|Peter Murphy]], [[Sido Jombati]], and [[Aaron Pierre]], whilst also bringing in striker [[Paul Hayes]] from [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Accrington Stanley's Peter Murphy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27948872|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Brentford defender Aaron Pierre|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27442916|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Joe Jacobson: Wycombe Wanderers seal move for full-back|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28114786|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=1 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Paul Hayes from Scunthorpe United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27421553|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Steven Craig: Wycombe Wanderers striker signs deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27577401|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=26 May 2014}}</ref> He was named as Football League manager of the week after Wycombe reached the top of the table with a 1–0 home win over [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] on 3 January.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Percival |first1=Ryan |title=Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2015/january/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week/ |access-date=9 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=5 January 2015 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He won the [[EFL League Two Manager of the Month|League Two Manager of the Month]] award for March 2015 after Wycombe picked up fourteen points in six tough unbeaten games.<ref name="two1"/> Hayes finished as top-scorer as Wycombe went on to end the campaign in fourth place, one point behind automatically promoted [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]. They reached the [[2015 Football League Two play-off final|play-off final]] at [[Wembley Stadium]], where they lost out on penalties to [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] following a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shepka|first1=Phil|title=Southend 1 - 1 Wycombe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32762821|access-date=23 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=23 May 2015}}</ref> Ainsworth signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2015 and was named as that season's [[League Managers Association Awards|LMA Manager of the Year]] for League Two.<ref name="lma">{{cite news|title=Eddie Howe: Bournemouth boss is LMA manager of the year|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32894562|access-date=30 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 May 2015}}</ref> |
He completely restructured the defence with free signings in preparation for the [[2014–15 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2014–15]] season, bringing in [[Joe Jacobson]], [[Peter Murphy (footballer, born 1990)|Peter Murphy]], [[Sido Jombati]], and [[Aaron Pierre (footballer)|Aaron Pierre]], whilst also bringing in striker [[Paul Hayes (footballer)|Paul Hayes]] from [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Accrington Stanley's Peter Murphy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27948872|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Brentford defender Aaron Pierre|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27442916|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Joe Jacobson: Wycombe Wanderers seal move for full-back|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28114786|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=1 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers sign Paul Hayes from Scunthorpe United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27421553|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Steven Craig: Wycombe Wanderers striker signs deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27577401|access-date=3 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=26 May 2014}}</ref> He was named as Football League manager of the week after Wycombe reached the top of the table with a 1–0 home win over [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] on 3 January.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Percival |first1=Ryan |title=Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2015/january/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week/ |access-date=9 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=5 January 2015 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He won the [[EFL League Two Manager of the Month|League Two Manager of the Month]] award for March 2015 after Wycombe picked up fourteen points in six tough unbeaten games.<ref name="two1"/> Hayes finished as top-scorer as Wycombe went on to end the campaign in fourth place, one point behind automatically promoted [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]. They reached the [[2015 Football League Two play-off final|play-off final]] at [[Wembley Stadium]], where they lost out on penalties to [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] following a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shepka|first1=Phil|title=Southend 1 - 1 Wycombe|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32762821|access-date=23 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=23 May 2015}}</ref> Ainsworth signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2015 and was named as that season's [[League Managers Association Awards|LMA Manager of the Year]] for League Two.<ref name="lma">{{cite news|title=Eddie Howe: Bournemouth boss is LMA manager of the year|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32894562|access-date=30 May 2015|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 May 2015}}</ref> |
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Wycombe finished the [[2015–16 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2015–16]] season in 13th place |
Wycombe finished the [[2015–16 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2015–16]] season in 13th place. Ainsworth admitted that the club was in a precarious financial position despite taking [[Premier League]] club [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] to a [[Replay (sports)|replay]] in the Third Round of the [[FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers still fighting debts, says manager Gareth Ainsworth|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36170737|access-date=9 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=29 April 2016}}</ref> He won the League Two Manager of the Month award for a second time having guided the team from 21st to sixth-place with four successive victories and only one goal conceded in November 2016.<ref name="two2"/> Ainsworth was named as the [[English Football League|EFL]]'s manager of the week on 3 January 2017 after his side recorded two consecutive victories to begin the year fifth in the table.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale player and hero both recognised in EFL team of week|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/vale-player-and-hero-both-recognised-in-efl-team-of-the-week/story-30027950-detail/story.html|access-date=3 January 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=3 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104090852/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/vale-player-and-hero-both-recognised-in-efl-team-of-the-week/story-30027950-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Wanderers ended the [[2016–17 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2016–17]] season in ninth place, one point and two places outside of the play-offs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gareth feeling positive ahead of next season|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gareth-ainsworth-post-cambridge-3710128.aspx|access-date=10 May 2017|work=wycombewanderers.co.uk|date=8 May 2017|language=en}}</ref> They also enjoyed more cup runs, exiting the FA Cup at the fourth round with a 4–3 defeat to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] at [[White Hart Lane]] and losing 2–1 at [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] in the semi-finals of the [[EFL Trophy]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Wycombe Wanderers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38700672|access-date=10 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=EFL Trophy: Coventry City beat Wycombe Wanderers to reach final|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38902561|access-date=10 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=7 February 2017}}</ref> He won League Two's Manager of the Month award for January 2018 after having led his side to four wins in four games.<ref name="two3"/> The following month, he was named as EFL manager of the week after making a triple substitution with his team down to ten men and trailing 3–2 to [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]], which inspired his team to turn the game around and make an "extraordinary triumph" to win 4–3.<ref>{{cite news |title=Team of the Week: Matchday 30 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/february/team-of-the-week-matchday-30/ |access-date=8 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=5 February 2018 |language=en-gb}}</ref> |
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In an interview later that month, Ainsworth stated that the set-up at the club was a "very unique model of just the first team but it works", as his team of mainly older veteran players were in the top two of League Two despite operating without an academy, [[reserve team]] or goalkeeping coach.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Ben|title=Gareth Ainsworth: 'It's a unique model but it works for Wycombe'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/21/gareth-ainsworth-wycombe-wanderers-league-two|access-date=6 May 2018|work=The Guardian|date=21 February 2018|language=en}}</ref> He was named as the EFL's manager of the week after overseeing a 2–1 win at Chesterfield in the last week of April despite his team initially going one goal down away from home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Team of the Week: Matchday 45 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/april/team-of-the-week-matchday-45/ |access-date=8 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=30 April 2018 |language=en-gb}}</ref> Wycombe ended the [[2017–18 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2017–18]] season in the third automatic promotion spot, leaving Ainsworth to state that "For us and [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington]] to be in the top three this season, it's turned the finances of this league on its head".<ref name="thid">{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers: Gareth Ainsworth feels promotion has 'turned League Two on head'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43948850|access-date=6 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=30 April 2018}}</ref> In June 2018, Gareth Ainsworth extended his contract by another three years to remain as Wycombe boss.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11766/11418016/wycombe-manager-gareth-ainsworth-signs-new-contract|title=Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth signs new contract|work=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-06-27|language=en}}</ref> |
In an interview later that month, Ainsworth stated that the set-up at the club was a "very unique model of just the first team but it works", as his team of mainly older veteran players were in the top two of League Two despite operating without an academy, [[reserve team]] or goalkeeping coach.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Ben|title=Gareth Ainsworth: 'It's a unique model but it works for Wycombe'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/21/gareth-ainsworth-wycombe-wanderers-league-two|access-date=6 May 2018|work=The Guardian|date=21 February 2018|language=en}}</ref> He was named as the EFL's manager of the week after overseeing a 2–1 win at Chesterfield in the last week of April despite his team initially going one goal down away from home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Team of the Week: Matchday 45 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/april/team-of-the-week-matchday-45/ |access-date=8 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=30 April 2018 |language=en-gb}}</ref> Wycombe ended the [[2017–18 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2017–18]] season in the third automatic promotion spot, leaving Ainsworth to state that "For us and [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington]] to be in the top three this season, it's turned the finances of this league on its head".<ref name="thid">{{cite news|title=Wycombe Wanderers: Gareth Ainsworth feels promotion has 'turned League Two on head'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43948850|access-date=6 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=30 April 2018}}</ref> In June 2018, Gareth Ainsworth extended his contract by another three years to remain as Wycombe boss.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11766/11418016/wycombe-manager-gareth-ainsworth-signs-new-contract|title=Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth signs new contract|work=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-06-27|language=en}}</ref> |
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He was |
He was reportedly on the manager shortlist at his former club, Queens Park Rangers, in April 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Muro |first1=Giuseppe |title=QPR make Tim Sherwood No1 target |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/qpr/qpr-make-tim-sherwood-no1-target-as-they-draw-up-shortlist-for-managers-job-a4109616.html |access-date=13 May 2019 |work=Evening Standard |date=4 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Wycombe ended the [[2018–19 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2018–19]] season in 17th-place, three points clear of the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Association |title=Gareth Ainsworth hails Wycombe's achievement of League One safety |url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/sport/gareth-ainsworth-hails-wycombes-achievement-of-league-one-safety/ |access-date=13 May 2019 |work=Evening Express |date=4 May 2019}}</ref> He was permitted to speak with divisional rivals [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] and was also linked with a move to [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] in October 2019, but remained at Wycombe, stating that it would take "something special" for him to leave.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Ainsworth: Sunderland given permission to speak to Wycombe boss |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50013438 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Ainsworth: Wycombe boss says it would take 'something special' to leave |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50082618 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2019}}</ref> He was named as the [[EFL League One Manager of the Month|League One Manager of the Month]] for November 2019 after his team picked up ten points from four games without conceding a goal.<ref name="nov19"/> He signed another new contract in February 2020, which was described simply as "long-term".<ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Ainsworth: Wycombe Wanderers boss signs new 'long-term' deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51647240 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> The [[2019–20 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2019–20]] season was ended early due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in England]], though Wycombe qualified for [[EFL League One play-offs|the play-offs]] in third-place after the table was concluded on points per game basis.<ref>{{cite news |title=League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52705124 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2020}}</ref> Wycombe eliminated Fleetwood Town in the semi-finals and recorded a 2–1 victory over [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in [[2020 EFL League One play-off final|the final itself]] to secure a place in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] for the first time in the club's history.<ref name="poff22"/> The play-offs were [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]] due to the pandemic, and Ainsworth credited Wycombe's success to the noise and support created by the club's substitutes, support staff and directors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Ainsworth: Wycombe Wanderers boss and The Cold Blooded Hearts singer says promotion is side's 'greatest hit' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53398677 |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref> |
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Wycombe took their fight against to avoid relegation out of the Championship until the last day of the [[2020–21 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2020–21]] season, and were relegated in 22nd-place despite beating [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] 3–0 on the final day of the campaign; Ainsworth stated that "It might seem a strange thing to say because |
Wycombe took their fight against to avoid relegation out of the Championship until the last day of the [[2020–21 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2020–21]] season, and were relegated in 22nd-place despite beating [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] 3–0 on the final day of the campaign; Ainsworth stated that "It might seem a strange thing to say because we've been relegated, but finishing third from bottom in the Championship is one of the proudest moments in my career".<ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Ainsworth proud despite Wycombe's relegation |url=https://www.bt.com/sport/news/2021/may/gareth-ainsworth-proud-despite-wycombe-s-relegation |access-date=9 May 2021 |work=BT.com |date=8 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> He was linked with the vacant management position at former club Preston North End.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hodgson |first1=George |title=Ainsworth comments on next season with Wycombe amid PNE links |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/gareth-ainsworths-message-over-wycombe-20555906 |access-date=9 May 2021 |work=LancsLive |date=8 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> |
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Ainsworth won the League One Manager of the Month award for [[2021–22 EFL League One|April 2022]] after his team picked up 17 points and scored 13 goals from seven games.<ref name="April 2022"/> Wycombe finished sixth in League One at the end of the [[2021–22 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2021–22]] season and qualified for [[2022 English Football League play-offs|the play-offs]], advancing past [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] with a 2–1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wycombe into final despite second-leg MK Dons loss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61288379 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2022}}</ref> He admitted that his side were underdogs for [[2022 EFL League One play-off final|the final]] against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in what would also be [[Adebayo Akinfenwa]] last game as a professional.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wycombe boss Ainsworth relishing underdogs tag |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61514677 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2022}}</ref> Sunderland won the match 2–0, but Ainsworth said he was proud of his players and said "I think the quality today told, just in the final third [it] just escaped them today".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peddy |first1=Chris |title=Ainsworth plans to continue as Wycombe boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61537994 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2022}}</ref> After the end of the 2021–22 season, Ainsworth was heavily linked to a move to former side Queens Park Rangers, but instead signed a contract extension with Wycombe.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-will-look-to-speak-to-ainsworth-about-managers-job | title=QPR will look to speak to Ainsworth about manager's job | date=23 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2022/june/30/gareth-ainsworth-signs-new-deal/|title=Gareth Ainsworth extends Chairboys contract|website=www.wwfc.com|date=30 June 2022|accessdate=30 June 2022}}</ref> |
Ainsworth won the League One Manager of the Month award for [[2021–22 EFL League One|April 2022]] after his team picked up 17 points and scored 13 goals from seven games.<ref name="April 2022"/> Wycombe finished sixth in League One at the end of the [[2021–22 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2021–22]] season and qualified for [[2022 English Football League play-offs|the play-offs]], advancing past [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] with a 2–1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wycombe into final despite second-leg MK Dons loss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61288379 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2022}}</ref> He admitted that his side were underdogs for [[2022 EFL League One play-off final|the final]] against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in what would also be [[Adebayo Akinfenwa]] last game as a professional.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wycombe boss Ainsworth relishing underdogs tag |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61514677 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2022}}</ref> Sunderland won the match 2–0, but Ainsworth said he was proud of his players and said "I think the quality today told, just in the final third [it] just escaped them today".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peddy |first1=Chris |title=Ainsworth plans to continue as Wycombe boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61537994 |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2022}}</ref> After the end of the 2021–22 season, Ainsworth was heavily linked to a move to former side Queens Park Rangers, but instead signed a contract extension with Wycombe.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-will-look-to-speak-to-ainsworth-about-managers-job | title=QPR will look to speak to Ainsworth about manager's job | date=23 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2022/june/30/gareth-ainsworth-signs-new-deal/|title=Gareth Ainsworth extends Chairboys contract|website=www.wwfc.com|date=30 June 2022|accessdate=30 June 2022}}</ref> |
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===Queens Park Rangers=== |
===Queens Park Rangers=== |
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On 21 February 2023, Ainsworth was appointed as Queens Park Rangers [[head coach]] on a three-and-a-half-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ainsworth leaves Wycombe to take charge of QPR |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64713121 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2023}}</ref> QPR ended the [[2022–23 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2022–23]] Championship season in 20th-place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ainsworth: I've got to sort my QPR squad out this summer |url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/sport/23508315.qpr-need-real-big-changes-says-ainsworth-defeat/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=Brent & Kilburn Times |date=8 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He spoke of wanting |
On 21 February 2023, Ainsworth was appointed as Queens Park Rangers [[head coach]] on a three-and-a-half-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ainsworth leaves Wycombe to take charge of QPR |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64713121 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2023}}</ref> QPR ended the [[2022–23 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2022–23]] Championship season in 20th-place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ainsworth: I've got to sort my QPR squad out this summer |url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/sport/23508315.qpr-need-real-big-changes-says-ainsworth-defeat/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=Brent & Kilburn Times |date=8 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He spoke of wanting "big changes" at the club in the summer and signing "pacy forward players" who could fit into his "very up and at 'em" style of play.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McIntyre |first1=David |title=Ainsworth wants 'big changes' at QPR |url=https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/ainsworth-wants-proper-team-and-big-changes-at-qpr |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=West London Sport |date=8 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=QPR boss Ainsworth says he wants pace up front |url=https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-boss-ainsworth-says-he-wants-pace-up-front |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=West London Sport |date=7 May 2023}}</ref> Later that year, on 28 October, Ainsworth was dismissed from his position following a 2–1 home loss against [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] – the club's sixth consecutive defeat, as QPR sat second-to-last in the league table after 14 matches during the [[2023–24 Queens Park Rangers F.C. season|2023–24]] season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/2023/october/28/gareth-ainsworth-leaves-qpr/ |title=Gareth Ainsworth leaves QPR |publisher=Queens Park Rangers |date=28 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/28/gareth-ainsworth-sacked-by-qpr-after-sixth-straight-championship-defeat |title=Gareth Ainsworth sacked by QPR after sixth straight Championship defeat |work=The Guardian |date=28 October 2023 }}</ref> |
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===Shrewsbury Town=== |
|||
On 13 November 2024, Ainsworth was appointed head coach of [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]], at the time bottom of League One.<ref>{{cite web | last=Scott | first=Ged | last2=Southall | first2=Nick | title=Gareth Ainsworth: Shrewsbury Town appoint ex-Wycombe and QPR boss | website=BBC Sport | date=12 November 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm207y7n6xyo | access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref> |
|||
==Style of play== |
==Style of play== |
||
Ainsworth was able to play on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder |
Ainsworth was able to play on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder and had good [[Cross (association football)|crossing]] ability; he was also known as a pacey player in his 20s and early 30s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/enwiki/w/walsall/2546163.stm|title=Ainsworth joins Walsall|date=5 December 2002|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref> Port Vale manager John Rudge said that Ainsworth "wasn't a typical winger. He was very strong and powerful as well as really quick. It wasn't the full backs [[Tackle (football move)|tackling]] him, he would tackle them!"<ref name="sed"/> |
||
==Management style== |
==Management style== |
||
Ainsworth is a very attack-minded manager |
Ainsworth is a very attack-minded manager and likes his teams to play aggressively and with a high-pressing style.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Opposition view as Port Vale face Wycombe Wanderers|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/opposition-view-on-port-vale-v-wycombe/story-30477237-detail/story.html|access-date=11 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=10 August 2017|language=en}}</ref> He has specialised in building teams on a tight budget, recruiting older players overlooked by rival managers who had seen them as "has-beens".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Joseph |title=Wycombe Wanderers' success changed my entire outlook on football |url=https://medium.com/@josephsdavis6/wycombe-wanderers-success-changed-my-entire-outlook-on-football-c480b60992aa |access-date=21 March 2021 |work=Medium |date=21 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> |
||
==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
||
During his playing days Ainsworth picked up the nickname "Wild Thing" due to his appearance and his rock star ambitions; he was in a band called APA with Wimbledon teammates [[Chris Perry (English footballer)|Chris Perry]] and [[Trond Andersen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-6138971-ainsworths-life-on-the-wild-side.do|title=Ainsworth's life on the wild side|last=Curtis|first=Adrian|date=8 August 2003|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606151015/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-6138971-ainsworths-life-on-the-wild-side.do|archive-date=6 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later joined the band Dog Chewed the Handle, named after a [[Terrorvision]] song, after answering an advert in ''[[Loot (magazine)|Loot]]''. |
During his playing days Ainsworth picked up the nickname "Wild Thing" due to his appearance and his rock star ambitions; he was in a band called APA with Wimbledon teammates [[Chris Perry (English footballer)|Chris Perry]] and [[Trond Andersen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-6138971-ainsworths-life-on-the-wild-side.do|title=Ainsworth's life on the wild side|last=Curtis|first=Adrian|date=8 August 2003|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606151015/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-6138971-ainsworths-life-on-the-wild-side.do|archive-date=6 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later joined the band Dog Chewed the Handle, named after a [[Terrorvision]] song, after answering an advert in ''[[Loot (magazine)|Loot]]''. Before the audition, Ainsworth hid his footballing career from his bandmates until he had been accepted. The band were invited to support [[Bad Manners]] on tour but rejected the offer due to clashes with Ainsworth's footballing career. The band later split, with Ainsworth and another member forming a new band, Road to Eden.<ref name="Telegraph"/> By November 2019, he was fronting The Cold Blooded Hearts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gareth Ainsworth: Wycombe Wanderers boss on longevity and his Christmas single |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50382378 |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 November 2019}}</ref> They released their debut album in July 2023,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-28 |title=QPR and Wycombe Wanderers former manager sets music goals |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67541872 |access-date=2023-11-29}}</ref> produced by [[Yes (band)|Yes]] keyboardist [[Geoff Downes]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Ben |title=Behind the scenes at Wycombe as they prepare to face Manchester City |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2021/sep/20/behind-the-scenes-at-wycombe-as-they-prepare-to-face-manchester-city |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=20 September 2021}}</ref> |
||
He is considered a cult hero at Preston, Wimbledon, QPR, Port Vale, Lincoln City, and Wycombe Wanderers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/4063429.stm|title=Port Vale's cult heroes |date=3 December 2004|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/3656862.stm|title=Lincoln's cult heroes|date=16 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=250107&tcmuri=98223|title=Player Profile: Gareth Ainsworth|work=Wycombe Wanderers|access-date=17 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012112538/http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=250107&tcmuri=98223|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
He is considered a cult hero at Preston, Wimbledon, QPR, Port Vale, Lincoln City, and Wycombe Wanderers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/4063429.stm|title=Port Vale's cult heroes |date=3 December 2004|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/3656862.stm|title=Lincoln's cult heroes|date=16 September 2004|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=250107&tcmuri=98223|title=Player Profile: Gareth Ainsworth|work=Wycombe Wanderers|access-date=17 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012112538/http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=250107&tcmuri=98223|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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===Managerial statistics=== |
===Managerial statistics=== |
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{{updated|match played |
{{updated|match played 14 December 2024}} |
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{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |
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Line 341: | Line 347: | ||
|align=left|28 October 2023 |
|align=left|28 October 2023 |
||
{{WDL|28|5|4|19|decimals=2}} |
{{WDL|28|5|4|19|decimals=2}} |
||
|<ref name="Managers: Gareth Ainsworth"/> |
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|- |
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|align=left|[[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
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|align=left|13 November 2024 |
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|align=left|Present |
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{{WDL|4|1|0|3|decimals=2}} |
|||
|<ref name="Managers: Gareth Ainsworth"/> |
|<ref name="Managers: Gareth Ainsworth"/> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!colspan=3|Total |
!colspan=3|Total |
||
{{WDLtot| |
{{WDLtot|593|228|143|222|decimals=2}} |
||
! |
! |
||
|} |
|} |
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===As a player=== |
===As a player=== |
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'''Queens Park Rangers''' |
'''Queens Park Rangers''' |
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*[[Football League |
*[[Football League Second Division]] second-place promotion: [[2003–04 Football League#Second Division|2003–04]]<ref name=prom04/> |
||
'''Wycombe Wanderers''' |
'''Wycombe Wanderers''' |
||
*[[ |
*[[Football League Two]] third-place promotion: [[2010–11 Football League Two|2010–11]]<ref name=prom11/> |
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'''Individual''' |
'''Individual''' |
||
⚫ | |||
*[[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] Player of the Year: [[1995–96 Lincoln City F.C. F.C. season|1995–96]], [[1996–97 Lincoln City F.C. F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref name=lcpoty/> |
*[[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] Player of the Year: [[1995–96 Lincoln City F.C. F.C. season|1995–96]], [[1996–97 Lincoln City F.C. F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref name=lcpoty/> |
||
⚫ | |||
*[[Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year|Port Vale Player of the Year]]: [[1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref name="Ainsworth fired"/> |
*[[Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year|Port Vale Player of the Year]]: [[1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref name="Ainsworth fired"/> |
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===As a manager=== |
===As a manager=== |
||
'''Wycombe Wanderers''' |
'''Wycombe Wanderers''' |
||
*[[EFL League One play-offs |
*[[EFL League One play-offs]]: [[2020 English Football League play-offs#League One|2020]]<ref name="poff22">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53316283 |title=Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers |first=Adam |last=Williams |website=BBC Sport |date=13 July 2020 |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref> |
||
*[[EFL |
*[[EFL League Two]] third-place promotion: [[2017–18 EFL League Two|2017–18]]<ref name="thid"/> |
||
'''Individual''' |
'''Individual''' |
||
*[[EFL League Two Manager of the Month|Football / EFL League Two Manager of the Month]]: March 2015,<ref name="two1">{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2015/april/gareth-ainsworth-named-sky-bet-league-2-manager-of-the-month/ |title=Gareth Ainsworth named Sky Bet League 2 Manager of the Month |publisher=EFL |date=10 April 2015 |access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref> November 2016,<ref name="two2">{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/december/gareth-ainsworth-named-sky-bet-league-two-manager-of-the-month/ |title=Gareth Ainsworth named Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month |publisher=EFL |date=9 December 2016 |access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref> January 2018<ref name="two3">{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/february/manager-of-the-month-gareth-ainsworth---wycombe-wanderers/ |title=Manager of the Month: Gareth Ainsworth - Wycombe Wanderers |publisher=EFL |date=9 February 2018 |access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref> |
|||
*[[League Managers Association Awards|LMA League Two Manager of the Year]]: [[2014–15 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="lma"/> |
*[[League Managers Association Awards|LMA Football League Two Manager of the Year]]: [[2014–15 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="lma"/> |
||
*[[EFL League One Manager of the Month|League One Manager of the Month]]: November 2019,<ref name="nov19">{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/december/sky-bet-league-one-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners/ |title=Sky Bet League One: Manager and Player of the Month winners |publisher=EFL |date=13 December 2019 |access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref> [[2021–22 EFL League One|April 2022]]<ref name="April 2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/may/sky-bet-efl-manager-and-player-of-the-month-april-winners/|title=Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month April winners!|website=www.efl.com|date=13 May 2022|accessdate=13 May 2022}}</ref> |
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*[[EFL League |
*[[EFL League One Manager of the Month]]: November 2019,<ref name="nov19">{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/december/sky-bet-league-one-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners/ |title=Sky Bet League One: Manager and Player of the Month winners |publisher=EFL |date=13 December 2019 |access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref> [[2021–22 EFL League One|April 2022]]<ref name="April 2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/may/sky-bet-efl-manager-and-player-of-the-month-april-winners/|title=Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month April winners!|website=www.efl.com|date=13 May 2022|accessdate=13 May 2022}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*{{Soccerbase}} |
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{{Shrewsbury Town F.C. squad}} |
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{{EFL League One managers}} |
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{{Navboxes |
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| title = Awards |
| title = Awards |
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{{Queens Park Rangers F.C. managers}} |
{{Queens Park Rangers F.C. managers}} |
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{{Wycombe Wanderers F.C. managers}} |
{{Wycombe Wanderers F.C. managers}} |
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{{Shrewsbury Town F.C. managers}} |
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[[Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. managers]] |
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[[Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. managers]] |
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[[Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. managers]] |
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[[Category:English Football League managers]] |
[[Category:English Football League managers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:English football coaches]] |
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[[Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool]] |
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool]] |
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[[Category:English Roman Catholics]] |
[[Category:English Roman Catholics]] |
Latest revision as of 17:25, 14 December 2024
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Gareth Ainsworth[1] | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 10 May 1973||
Place of birth | Blackburn, England[2] | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Shrewsbury Town (head coach) | ||
Youth career | |||
1989–1991 | Blackburn Rovers | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1991–1992 | Northwich Victoria | 14 | (4) |
1992 | Preston North End | 5 | (0) |
1992–1993 | Cambridge United | 4 | (1) |
1992–1993 | → Northwich Victoria (loan) | 5 | (0) |
1993–1995 | Preston North End | 82 | (14) |
1995–1997 | Lincoln City | 83 | (37) |
1997–1998 | Port Vale | 55 | (10) |
1998–2003 | Wimbledon | 36 | (6) |
2002 | → Preston North End (loan) | 5 | (1) |
2002–2003 | → Walsall (loan) | 5 | (1) |
2003 | Cardiff City | 9 | (0) |
2003–2010 | Queens Park Rangers | 141 | (21) |
2009–2010 | → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) | 2 | (0) |
2010–2013 | Wycombe Wanderers | 112 | (16) |
2014–2018 | Wycombe Wanderers | 0 | (0) |
2019–2020 | Woodley United | 3 | (2) |
Total | 561 | (113) | |
Managerial career | |||
2008 | Queens Park Rangers (caretaker) | ||
2009 | Queens Park Rangers (caretaker) | ||
2012–2023 | Wycombe Wanderers | ||
2023 | Queens Park Rangers | ||
2024– | Shrewsbury Town | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Gareth Ainsworth (born 10 May 1973) is an English professional former player and football manager who is the head coach of EFL League One club Shrewsbury Town.
A former youth player at Blackburn Rovers, the midfielder, who was known for his crossing ability, moved to Preston North End in 1992 after impressing at non-League Northwich Victoria. He signed for Cambridge United, who in turn loaned him back to Northwich, and returned to Preston in 1993, establishing himself in the first-team during his second spell. Sold on to Lincoln City in 1995, his performances earned him a place on the PFA Third Division Team of the Year in 1996–97, resulting in a £500,000 move to Port Vale. After being named the Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year in 1998, Ainsworth was sold to Premier League club Wimbledon for £2 million. Injuries at the club dogged him, and following loan spells with Preston and Walsall, he moved to Cardiff City in March 2003. He signed with Queens Park Rangers in June 2003, where he spent seven years. During his time at QPR, he helped the club to promotion from the Second Division in 2003–04, and twice served as caretaker manager.
Following a short loan period, he joined Wycombe Wanderers in February 2010. He was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year in 2010–11, as Wycombe won promotion. After a short period as caretaker manager, he was appointed manager in November 2012. He retired from regular playing appearances to concentrate on management in April 2013 but remained registered as a player. He led the club to promotion from League Two at the end of the 2017–18 season and then from League One in 2020, securing a place in the Championship for the first time in the club's history. He left Wycombe in February 2023 to become head coach of QPR, where he would remain for eight months. He was appointed head coach at Shrewsbury Town in November 2024.
Early life
[edit]Ainsworth was born in Blackburn in Lancashire. His mother worked as a professional singer during the 1960s, while his father worked several jobs, including as a bookmaker, a driving instructor and a factory clerk. His parents were avid music fans and his mother taught Ainsworth to sing as a child. He is a supporter of Blackburn Rovers and became a season ticket holder at the age of six.[4] He attended St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School, Billington.[5]
Playing career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Ainsworth started his career as a trainee with Second Division club Blackburn Rovers. Despite forming a useful partnership with Peter Thorne, he was not offered professional terms at the end of his two-year training period.[6] He had been hopeful of earning a professional contract but was informed of his release by manager Don Mackay on his 18th birthday. He later described his release from his hometown club as "devastating" and admitted walking into the car park at the ground and crying.[4]
He dropped into the Football Conference with Northwich Victoria, scoring his first goal in the 3–1 home victory over Cheltenham Town on 26 October 1991. His form attracted the attention of Third Division club Preston North End and, in January 1992, they offered him a second chance at the professional game. Released at the end of the 1991–92 season, Ainsworth joined First Division Cambridge United under the management of John Beck. Ainsworth had a spell on loan with former club Northwich Victoria, making his second debut for the "Vics" in a 2–1 home victory over Bromsgrove Rovers on 5 September 1992. Cambridge sacked Beck in October 1992 but was swiftly appointed manager at Preston North End, and in December returned to the Abbey Ground to sign Ainsworth.
Preston North End
[edit]Ainsworth's second spell with Preston lasted three years. On 6 April 1993, he spent 13 minutes in goal after goalkeeper Simon Farnworth was knocked unconscious, Ainsworth conceded one goal as Preston played out a 2–2 at Port Vale.[7] Preston reached the Third Division play-off final in 1994, and Ainsworth played in the Wembley final, but could not prevent Wycombe Wanderers winning the game 4–2.[8] Preston reached the play-offs again the following year, but exited at the semi-final stage with a 2–0 aggregate defeat to Bury.
Beck left Preston following the disappointments at the play-offs, and was appointed manager at Third Division rivals Lincoln City.
Lincoln City
[edit]In October 1995, Beck signed Ainsworth for a third time, this time for a fee of £25,000.[9] In 1996–97, Ainsworth scored 22 goals to make him the division's second-highest goalscorer after Wigan Athletic's Graeme Jones. For this achievement he was named on the PFA's Third Division Team of the Year.[10] He won the club's Player of the Year award for both the 1995–96 and 1996–97 campaigns.[11] A popular player at Sincil Bank, Ainsworth was voted fourth in the club's top 100 legends after a poll conducted in May 2007.[12] He suited the long ball style at Lincoln and later said that "It was the club where I played my best football, probably of my whole career".[9][13]
Port Vale
[edit]In September 1997, he signed for John Rudge's First Division Port Vale for a club record £500,000 fee; he was signed to replace Jon McCarthy and Steve Guppy, wingers who had been sold for a combined £2.35 million earlier in the year.[14] He became the club's Player of the Year for his performances in the 1997–98 season, helping the "Valiants" to narrowly avoid relegation above Manchester City and local rivals Stoke City.[14] He was though criticized for an 'ugly' tackle on Sheffield United's Dane Whitehouse in November that resulted in the player's early retirement due to a serious leg injury sustained from the challenge.[15][16] The club turned down a £1 million bid from Leeds United in summer 1998.[17] However, Vale chairman Bill Bell did later accept an offer from another club, reportedly behind Rudge's back, who was scouting in Sweden at the time.[18][19]
Wimbledon
[edit]He moved to Premier League side Wimbledon in November 1998 for a £2 million fee, again a club record for Port Vale.[20] His time at Wimbledon would be dominated by struggles against injury. He played eight times in the 1998–99 season, failing to score. He was limited to just two appearances in 1999–2000, though in the first of these, a 3–3 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park, he scored two goals, including a last-minute equaliser.[21] At the end of the season, the "Dons"' were relegated to the First Division.
He regained his fitness by January 2001 and managed twelve league and six FA Cup games in 2000–01. After missing the entire first half of the 2001–02 campaign, he returned to fitness only to find that he had lost his first-team place due to the form of promising youngster Jobi McAnuff.[22] Ainsworth was told that he was to be released in summer 2002,[23] and was allowed to join former club Preston North End on loan in April 2002.[24] He played five games for Preston, scoring one goal against Coventry City.[25] He returned to Wimbledon to find that he was to be offered a new contract after the club announced it was considering a potentially lucrative move to Milton Keynes.[26]
After six appearances for the "Dons" in 2002–03, he was allowed to join Walsall on loan in December. He scored for the "Saddlers" against Nottingham Forest,[27] but his loan deal was not extended. He scored twice in nine games upon his return to Wimbledon before March 2003, when he moved to Second Division club Cardiff City on a short-term deal for a "small fee".[6] The "Bluebirds" won promotion to the First Division as play-off winners. However, Ainsworth played no part in the victory over Queens Park Rangers in the final at the Millennium Stadium. His stay with the club was brief, as manager Lennie Lawrence told him that he could not guarantee him a first-team spot.[28] Both before and after his release from Cardiff he was linked with a permanent move back to Walsall,[29][30] but manager Colin Lee had limited funds available for new players.[31]
Queens Park Rangers
[edit]Ainsworth signed for Second Division club Queens Park Rangers in July 2003.[32] He scored twice on his debut, in a 5–0 win over Blackpool on 9 August 2003. Sixteen days later, he made it five goals in four games with a brace against Rushden & Diamonds, one a volley from 35 yards (32 m), and another a powerful drive from the same distance.[33] QPR won promotion to the First Division as Second Division runners-up at the end of the 2003–04 season.[34]
Despite suffering a knee injury in 2004–05 that limited him to 23 appearances, manager Ian Holloway offered him a new contract at the end of the season after telling the media that "he's an important player to have around".[35] During the disappointing campaign of 2005–06, Ainsworth came second in the Player of the Year awards behind Danny Shittu, and finished joint-top-scorer on eleven goals with Marc Nygaard.
During the 2006–07 season, Ainsworth struggled with injuries, and his season ended in April after a scan revealed that he had broken his leg in a win over Luton Town.[36] During the 2007–08 season, he assisted new manager Luigi De Canio in addition to his 25 games, and stated his intention to move into coaching once his player career is over.[37]
In May 2008, Ainsworth accepted a player-coach role under the new QPR boss Iain Dowie. Dowie was sacked in October 2008, and Ainsworth was appointed as caretaker manager.[38] On taking up the reins, Ainsworth announced that "QPR is very strong with the result of what happened and will stay strong, nothing is going to break us".[39] During his time in charge QPR managed to test Manchester United at Old Trafford in a League Cup encounter that was only settled by a 76th minute Carlos Tevez goal.[40] This performance caused Ainsworth to believe that the club could achieve promotion to the Premier League.[41] He remained on the club's coaching staff after Paulo Sousa was appointed as manager in November.[42] Sousa's reign did not last long however, and on 9 April 2009, Ainsworth again took the role of caretaker manager.[43]
He was considered for the vacant management position at former club Lincoln City in September 2009.[44]
Wycombe Wanderers
[edit]On 20 November 2009, Ainsworth joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a month-long loan.[45] He went on to sign an eighteen-month contract with Wycombe in February 2010.[46] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Exeter City on 20 March 2010.[47] However, the club were relegated at the end of the season.
The club achieved promotion out of League Two at the first attempt in 2010–11, after finishing in the third automatic promotion spot, a single point ahead of Shrewsbury Town. Ainsworth scored eleven goals in 46 appearances, and captained Wycombe to the 3–1 victory over Southend United that ensured the club promotion on 7 May 2011.[48] Later that month, Ainsworth signed a new one-year contract with the club.[49] For his performances he was named on the PFA League Two Team of the Year.[50] However, the "Chairboys" were relegated straight back down in 2011–12, with Ainsworth scoring twice in 32 games.
Ainsworth retired from professional football on 27 April 2013, after playing his final game against his former club, Port Vale, at Adams Park.[51] However, he agreed to sign a two-year contract to remain as Wycombe manager.[52] On 30 August 2016, Ainsworth came on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy against Northampton Town, and provided an assist for Garry Thompson in a 3–0 victory.[53] Ainsworth later combined managerial duties at Wycombe with playing for Woodley United.[54]
Managerial career
[edit]Wycombe Wanderers
[edit]Following the sacking of Gary Waddock, Ainsworth was appointed as Wycombe Wanderers's caretaker manager on 24 September 2012.[55] Before he took charge, Wycombe had picked up just four points from their seven league games.[56]
After a loss and a draw, he led the team to victory over Torquay United on 6 October, and provided the cross himself for the opening goal of the game.[57] In October, he signed Portuguese winger Bruno Andrade on loan from QPR.[58] A further win over Fleetwood Town, Andrade scoring the only goal of the game, lifted the club out of the relegation zone.[59] Ainsworth was appointed as the club's manager on a permanent basis on 8 November.[60] In December 2012, the "Chairboys" gained ten out of a possible 15 points to rise ten points clear of the relegation zone – Ainsworth was recognised for this achievement by being nominated for the division's manager of the month award.[61] In April 2013, Ainsworth signed a new two-year managerial contract, and also announced his retirement as a player.[62]
Ainsworth lost striker Joel Grant to Championship club Yeovil Town at the start of the 2013–14 season,[63] and signed attackers Jon-Paul Pittman, Steven Craig, and Paris Cowan-Hall to replace him.[64][65][66] Defenders Dave Winfield and Charles Dunne also left Wycombe for clubs in higher divisions (though Dunne was loaned back to Wycombe for the season as part of the transfer).[67][68] He signed right-back Nick Arnold and midfielder Billy Knott on loan.[69][70] In the January transfer window he sold 18-year-old centre-back Kortney Hause to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and signed 19-year-old former Arsenal winger Anthony Jeffrey on a free transfer.[71] Wycombe ended an eight-match run without a win with a 1–0 victory over league leaders Chesterfield on 22 February, earning Ainsworth a mention as the Football League manager of the week.[72] On the final day of the season Wycombe needed to win at Torquay United and hope results went their way elsewhere to stay up; they won their match 3–0 and finished outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.[73]
He completely restructured the defence with free signings in preparation for the 2014–15 season, bringing in Joe Jacobson, Peter Murphy, Sido Jombati, and Aaron Pierre, whilst also bringing in striker Paul Hayes from Scunthorpe United.[74][75][76][77][78] He was named as Football League manager of the week after Wycombe reached the top of the table with a 1–0 home win over Hartlepool United on 3 January.[79] He won the League Two Manager of the Month award for March 2015 after Wycombe picked up fourteen points in six tough unbeaten games.[80] Hayes finished as top-scorer as Wycombe went on to end the campaign in fourth place, one point behind automatically promoted Bury. They reached the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, where they lost out on penalties to Southend United following a 1–1 draw.[81] Ainsworth signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2015 and was named as that season's LMA Manager of the Year for League Two.[82]
Wycombe finished the 2015–16 season in 13th place. Ainsworth admitted that the club was in a precarious financial position despite taking Premier League club Aston Villa to a replay in the Third Round of the FA Cup.[83] He won the League Two Manager of the Month award for a second time having guided the team from 21st to sixth-place with four successive victories and only one goal conceded in November 2016.[84] Ainsworth was named as the EFL's manager of the week on 3 January 2017 after his side recorded two consecutive victories to begin the year fifth in the table.[85] Wanderers ended the 2016–17 season in ninth place, one point and two places outside of the play-offs.[86] They also enjoyed more cup runs, exiting the FA Cup at the fourth round with a 4–3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and losing 2–1 at Coventry City in the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy.[87][88] He won League Two's Manager of the Month award for January 2018 after having led his side to four wins in four games.[89] The following month, he was named as EFL manager of the week after making a triple substitution with his team down to ten men and trailing 3–2 to Carlisle United, which inspired his team to turn the game around and make an "extraordinary triumph" to win 4–3.[90]
In an interview later that month, Ainsworth stated that the set-up at the club was a "very unique model of just the first team but it works", as his team of mainly older veteran players were in the top two of League Two despite operating without an academy, reserve team or goalkeeping coach.[91] He was named as the EFL's manager of the week after overseeing a 2–1 win at Chesterfield in the last week of April despite his team initially going one goal down away from home.[92] Wycombe ended the 2017–18 season in the third automatic promotion spot, leaving Ainsworth to state that "For us and Accrington to be in the top three this season, it's turned the finances of this league on its head".[93] In June 2018, Gareth Ainsworth extended his contract by another three years to remain as Wycombe boss.[94]
He was reportedly on the manager shortlist at his former club, Queens Park Rangers, in April 2019.[95] Wycombe ended the 2018–19 season in 17th-place, three points clear of the relegation zone.[96] He was permitted to speak with divisional rivals Sunderland and was also linked with a move to Millwall in October 2019, but remained at Wycombe, stating that it would take "something special" for him to leave.[97][98] He was named as the League One Manager of the Month for November 2019 after his team picked up ten points from four games without conceding a goal.[99] He signed another new contract in February 2020, which was described simply as "long-term".[100] The 2019–20 season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, though Wycombe qualified for the play-offs in third-place after the table was concluded on points per game basis.[101] Wycombe eliminated Fleetwood Town in the semi-finals and recorded a 2–1 victory over Oxford United in the final itself to secure a place in the Championship for the first time in the club's history.[102] The play-offs were behind closed doors due to the pandemic, and Ainsworth credited Wycombe's success to the noise and support created by the club's substitutes, support staff and directors.[103]
Wycombe took their fight against to avoid relegation out of the Championship until the last day of the 2020–21 season, and were relegated in 22nd-place despite beating Middlesbrough 3–0 on the final day of the campaign; Ainsworth stated that "It might seem a strange thing to say because we've been relegated, but finishing third from bottom in the Championship is one of the proudest moments in my career".[104] He was linked with the vacant management position at former club Preston North End.[105]
Ainsworth won the League One Manager of the Month award for April 2022 after his team picked up 17 points and scored 13 goals from seven games.[106] Wycombe finished sixth in League One at the end of the 2021–22 season and qualified for the play-offs, advancing past Milton Keynes Dons with a 2–1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.[107] He admitted that his side were underdogs for the final against Sunderland in what would also be Adebayo Akinfenwa last game as a professional.[108] Sunderland won the match 2–0, but Ainsworth said he was proud of his players and said "I think the quality today told, just in the final third [it] just escaped them today".[109] After the end of the 2021–22 season, Ainsworth was heavily linked to a move to former side Queens Park Rangers, but instead signed a contract extension with Wycombe.[110][111]
Queens Park Rangers
[edit]On 21 February 2023, Ainsworth was appointed as Queens Park Rangers head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[112] QPR ended the 2022–23 Championship season in 20th-place.[113] He spoke of wanting "big changes" at the club in the summer and signing "pacy forward players" who could fit into his "very up and at 'em" style of play.[114][115] Later that year, on 28 October, Ainsworth was dismissed from his position following a 2–1 home loss against Leicester City – the club's sixth consecutive defeat, as QPR sat second-to-last in the league table after 14 matches during the 2023–24 season.[116][117]
Shrewsbury Town
[edit]On 13 November 2024, Ainsworth was appointed head coach of Shrewsbury Town, at the time bottom of League One.[118]
Style of play
[edit]Ainsworth was able to play on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder and had good crossing ability; he was also known as a pacey player in his 20s and early 30s.[119] Port Vale manager John Rudge said that Ainsworth "wasn't a typical winger. He was very strong and powerful as well as really quick. It wasn't the full backs tackling him, he would tackle them!"[19]
Management style
[edit]Ainsworth is a very attack-minded manager and likes his teams to play aggressively and with a high-pressing style.[120] He has specialised in building teams on a tight budget, recruiting older players overlooked by rival managers who had seen them as "has-beens".[121]
Personal life
[edit]During his playing days Ainsworth picked up the nickname "Wild Thing" due to his appearance and his rock star ambitions; he was in a band called APA with Wimbledon teammates Chris Perry and Trond Andersen.[122] He later joined the band Dog Chewed the Handle, named after a Terrorvision song, after answering an advert in Loot. Before the audition, Ainsworth hid his footballing career from his bandmates until he had been accepted. The band were invited to support Bad Manners on tour but rejected the offer due to clashes with Ainsworth's footballing career. The band later split, with Ainsworth and another member forming a new band, Road to Eden.[4] By November 2019, he was fronting The Cold Blooded Hearts.[123] They released their debut album in July 2023,[124] produced by Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes.[125]
He is considered a cult hero at Preston, Wimbledon, QPR, Port Vale, Lincoln City, and Wycombe Wanderers.[126][127][128]
On 21 October 2010, he represented the English Football League at the unveiling of the Footballers' Battalions memorial on the site of the Battle of the Somme.[129][130] He graduated from the University of Liverpool with a Diploma in Professional Studies in Football Management in December 2019.[131]
Ainsworth is married to Donna, who is from Venezuela. He has three children.[132] He is a practising Catholic.[133]
Career statistics
[edit]Playing statistics
[edit]Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Northwich Victoria | 1991–92[citation needed] | Football Conference | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
Preston North End | 1991–92[134][135] | Third Division | 5 | 0 | — | — | 1[a] | 1 | 6 | 1 | ||
Cambridge United | 1992–93[134][135] | Division One | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |
Northwich Victoria (loan) | 1992–93[citation needed] | Football Conference | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
Preston North End | 1992–93[134][135] | Division Two | 26 | 0 | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 27 | 0 | ||
1993–94[134][135] | Division Three | 38 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6[b] | 1 | 49 | 14 | |
1994–95[134][135] | Division Three | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 20 | 1 | |
1995–96[134][135] | Division Three | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
Total | 82 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 100 | 15 | ||
Lincoln City | 1995–96[135] | Division Three | 31 | 12 | 1 | 0 | — | 3[a] | 1 | 35 | 13 | |
1996–97[136][135] | Division Three | 46 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1[a] | 0 | 54 | 24 | |
1997–98[137][135] | Division Three | 6 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 8 | 4 | |||
Total | 83 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 97 | 41 | ||
Port Vale | 1997–98[137][135] | Division One | 40 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 5 | ||
1998–99[138][135] | Division One | 15 | 5 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 17 | 6 | |||
Total | 55 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 11 | ||
Wimbledon | 1998–99[138] | Premier League | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||
1999–2000[139] | Premier League | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 2 | ||
2000–01[140] | Division One | 12 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 3 | ||
2001–02[141] | Division One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
2002–03[142] | Division One | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 15 | 2 | ||
Total | 36 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 7 | ||
Preston North End (loan) | 2001–02[141] | Division One | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | |||
Walsall (loan) | 2002–03[142] | Division One | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 1 | ||
Cardiff City | 2002–03[142] | Division Two | 9 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
Queens Park Rangers | 2003–04[143] | Division Two | 29 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2[a] | 0 | 35 | 7 |
2004–05[144] | Championship | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 2 | ||
2005–06[145] | Championship | 43 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 44 | 9 | ||
2006–07[146] | Championship | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 1 | ||
2007–08[147][135] | Championship | 24 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 | 3 | ||
2008–09[148] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
2009–10[149] | Championship | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |||
Total | 141 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 152 | 22 | ||
Wycombe Wanderers | 2009–10[d][149] | League One | 14 | 2 | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | |||
2010–11[150] | League Two | 43 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 11 | |
2011–12[151] | League One | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | |
2012–13[152] | League Two | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
2016–17[153] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
2017–18[154] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 114 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 118 | 17 | ||
Woodley United | 2019–20[155] | Hellenic League Division One East |
3 | 2 | — | — | 1[e] | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||
Career total | 561 | 113 | 23 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 18 | 3 | 624 | 123 |
- ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
- ^ Three appearances one goal in Football League Trophy; three appearances in Division Three play-offs
- ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy; one appearances in Division Three play-offs
- ^ Part of this season was spent on loan from Queens Park Rangers
- ^ Appearance in Hellenic League Floodlit Cup
Managerial statistics
[edit]- As of match played 14 December 2024
Team | From | To | Record | Ref. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker) | 24 October 2008 | 19 November 2008 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 33.33 | [38][156] |
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker) | 9 April 2009 | 3 May 2009 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 20.00 | [43][156] |
Wycombe Wanderers | 24 September 2012 | 21 February 2023 | 550 | 219 | 137 | 194 | 39.82 | [156] |
Queens Park Rangers | 21 February 2023 | 28 October 2023 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 17.86 | [156] |
Shrewsbury Town | 13 November 2024 | Present | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 25.00 | [156] |
Total | 593 | 228 | 143 | 222 | 38.45 |
Honours
[edit]As a player
[edit]Queens Park Rangers
- Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 2003–04[34]
Wycombe Wanderers
- Football League Two third-place promotion: 2010–11[48]
Individual
- Lincoln City Player of the Year: 1995–96, 1996–97[11]
- PFA Team of the Year: 1996–97 Third Division,[10] 2010–11 League Two[50]
- Port Vale Player of the Year: 1997–98[14]
As a manager
[edit]Wycombe Wanderers
- EFL League One play-offs: 2020[102]
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2017–18[93]
Individual
- Football / EFL League Two Manager of the Month: March 2015,[80] November 2016,[84] January 2018[89]
- LMA Football League Two Manager of the Year: 2014–15[82]
- EFL League One Manager of the Month: November 2019,[99] April 2022[106]
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External links
[edit]- Gareth Ainsworth at Soccerbase
- 1973 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Blackburn
- English men's footballers
- Men's association football midfielders
- Northwich Victoria F.C. players
- Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
- Preston North End F.C. players
- Cambridge United F.C. players
- Lincoln City F.C. players
- Port Vale F.C. players
- Wimbledon F.C. players
- Walsall F.C. players
- Cardiff City F.C. players
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
- Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players
- Woodley United F.C. players
- Premier League players
- English Football League players
- Men's association football player-managers
- English football managers
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. managers
- Wycombe Wanderers F.C. managers
- Shrewsbury Town F.C. managers
- English Football League managers
- English football coaches
- Alumni of the University of Liverpool
- English Roman Catholics