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Gareth Ainsworth gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Shrewsbury head coach

Gareth Ainsworth gives his first sit down interview on becoming new Shrewsbury Town head coach, and he’s eagerly excited to get started.

The 51 year old returns to management after a year out of the game, and will be joined by Richard Dobson, his trusted assistant.

After leading Wycombe Wanderers for over ten years, a tenure which saw them achieve promotion to the Championship in 2020, Ainsworth left in February 2023 for the manager’s job at Queens Park Rangers, a club he had previously been at as a player.

However, his time at Loftus Road came to an end, only just eight months in the role. Now he’d tasked of getting Shrewsbury off the bottom of League One and up the table.

He takes over from Paul Hurst, whose second term as head coach concluded last week after a brief seven-month period.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Shrewsbury Town are thrilled to announce the appointment of Gareth Ainsworth as our new head coach.

The 51-year-old arrives in Shropshire having previously enjoyed spells in charge of Wycombe and QPR.

Ainsworth spent an impressive 11 years in charge of Wycombe after being appointed boss in September 2012.

And over the next decade, he built a camaraderie and togetherness that saw the club climb from League Two all the way to the Championship.

A former midfielder, Ainsworth is also a cult hero for the performances he put in as a player at Preston North End, Wimbledon, QPR, Port Vale and Lincoln.

He joins Town with his long-standing number two Richard Dobson – who has been appointed Town’s assistant head coach.

Shrewsbury Town Chairman Roland Wycherley MBE said: “On behalf of the board of directors, all supporters and everyone connected to Shrewsbury Town – I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Gareth and Richard at this difficult time.

“I wish them every success in their endeavours as they work to restore the feel-good factor to our club.”

Director of football, Micky Moore said: “I’m delighted to welcome Gareth and Richard to the football club.

“I think it is a massive coup for Shrewsbury Town to have them here.

“From the moment we started the recruitment process, Gareth and Richard were our number one targets.

“I’ve known Gareth for a long time. He was the standout candidate. And he is someone I have always admired for the outstanding work he did at Wycombe.

“He brings to this football club an enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge having managed more than 150 games in League One. He is exactly what we need.

“I’m sure, in time, we will be able to build a football club that will really make the town and our supporters proud.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Gareth Ainsworth gives his first sit down interview on becoming the new Shrewsbury head coach…

@jtravis007: Get in!!! What a great and exciting appointment for us, absolutely buzzing now it’s been confirmed. Welcome Gareth #salop 🔷🔶

@wearelutontown: Great appointment @salopcast if anything you’ll get value for money, his teams play until the 111th min.

@mattcecil87: An incredible man. Good luck Gaz.

@RussWWFC: Fantastic appointment for the Shrews, he will sort you out if you give him time and Mickey Mouse, I mean Moore, keeps his beak out.

@DanClarkPR: As much as I don’t like Shrewsbury, you have a good man there. Treat him well.

@Chris_Tomo75: Great news! Clear out in January incoming! He won’t put up with many of the shite we’ve got in our squad!

@WycombeDJ: Oh shit. Best of Luck Gazza (not too much when you play us mind), I think this is a pretty good addition as long as they don’t consider him a short term firefighter. Give him time to actually build something and you’ll see results

@willthomas67: Happy with that, big task at hand though

@upfromtheback: Absolutely top-class interview. Exactly what we need. Ticks every box. Credit to the club for bringing him here.

@pete_wilding: Fingers crossed for Gareth and his team best of luck 👍🏻

@tombarr110384: Big job on his hands but really pleased with this, fantastic appointment for us #Salop

@ChrisCooper_22: Delighted for Gaz but the mastermind Dobbo joining too is huge for #Salop and they don’t even know it yet.

@jamiesomersuk: Good luck Gareth, all is forgiven on the ghost goal – I could see it hadn’t crossed the line and I was at the other end of the ground !! 😭

@davidwt1997: Good move for #Salop there to be fair. Don’t think he would have suited us with the current squad we have, even though we need that sort of experienced head to steer us in the right direction. #BAFC

@FTM1042: I have a lot of respect for Gareth Ainsworth he has always came across a very down to earth bloke & is always extremely pleasant towards the media & people in general. I remember when Ainsworth was at Wycombe wanderers & my team Sunderland beat Wycombe 4-0 at stadium of light & at full time Gareth waited by side of pitch for all the Sunderland players to come off & he shook every players hand and congratulated us on our win I really do admire & appreciate that hugely from a opposition manager. I wish Gareth Ainsworth the very best of luck at Shrewsbury Town and I hope Gareth guides Shrewsbury away from trouble to aim for a respectable finish come May. All the best Gareth 👊 #ShrewsburyTown #GarethAinsworth

@MarcPetty9: IMHO this would have been a great appointment if things were going well, so that we’ve pulled this off in the current situation is bordering on miraculous! Wishing our new manager all the very best for the future 🤞#Salop 🔵🟠

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