QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth has a man perform ‘haka’ to motivate players, but their reaction is utterly priceless as can be seen below.
Gareth Ainsworth’s haka team bonding session was compared to something from The Office, according to fans on social media with his players looking on with bemusement.
The 49 year old, who is nicknamed “The Wild Thing”, quit Wycombe to become the Championship club’s manager last month but has only seen one win recorded in his four first games as manager and the R’s are still reeling from Tuesday’s 6-1 defeat at Blackpool, which left them just three points above the drop zone.
Ainsworth is a former midfielder for the West London outfit. He also served as caretaker boss at Loftus Road twice during the 2008-09 season.
However, he is now back with them as the main man, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract, and is hopeful of repeat the success he enjoyed at Wycombe after leading them from League Two all the way to the second tier.
Adams Park was well-known for Ainsworth’s unusual methods of team building, and it seems he’s kept that up at his new club, trying to bring the boys together and increase team spirit with QPR by showing off some authentic Maori.
Bruce Simpson, who runs the Haka Rebuilding Company in London, wondered into the room full of players and performed this move before giving a talk.
He said: “It’s just being there for each other and being part of a bigger group, not just yourself but everyone around you.”
However, the video was shared by the club’s Twitter account, and soon went viral with supporters mocking it.
Ainsworth explains why he decided to introduce Maori culture to his players and staff, saying: “It’s not just about sport performances, but about the mental side, the inner side of who you are as a person.
“He talked about the All Blacks and obviously the connection with how they’ve dominated the world of rugby union for so long with just a five million people island, and that didn’t start happening till the haka got introduced.
“When he talked about what the haka means, I think some of the boys really got an education today.”
Give Gareth Ainsworth manager of the month. pic.twitter.com/z3z3hvmk7n
— David Turner (@davidturners) March 15, 2023
Development Day 1 ✅
Squad and staff experienced the ‘𝗛𝗮𝗸𝗮’ at Heston this week as Gareth Ainsworth looks to enhance team spirit 🤝#QPR | #RDevelopmentDay pic.twitter.com/YjAQ5NwRwi
— QPR FC (@QPR) March 2, 2023
This is what fans had to say as Gareth Ainsworth has a man perform the ‘haka’ to motivate QPR players…
@samtheblade123: This is genuinely the single most Office like moment i’ve ever seen
@BoyciesSnackbox: I take back everything I’ve said about how dull and dead football has become. This is sensational.
@robbowwfc: This might be the fastest a manager has ever “lost the dressing room” 🤣🤣
@nathanhorobinn: all of that to get dicked by pleasure beach fc
@DewiHughes_: Excruciating watch
@JaynieJayne1: I’m actually lost for words 🤣 the looks on their faces 😆
@JoeAtkin_95: Players faces say it all.. No wonder they aren’t playing for him 🤣
@Panchero: The Office meets The Mighty Boosh. Directed by a complete prick
@adammacarthur99: Please watch this and try to explain what on earth is happening 😂
@FreeNwakali: Imagine watching this as a QPR fan. Guaranteed relegation
@Chrisglarvs: Players are like ‘WTF is happening?’ 🤣🤣
@petetheox: This is pure Ted Lasso!
@spally76: Andre Dozzells face through this 🤣
@LeroiJackson16: Players are so confused 🤣
@Renegadebastard: In bits at this. The fact they went and lost 6-1 following it is fucking brilliant
@DarrenSmithTWIF: Whoever filmed this has done up Ainsworth like a kipper. No surprise they lost 1-6 at bottom 3. Whoever it was, you deserve a medal my friend.
@TheWatfordWay25: Instead they must be dying hard of laughter . Credit where it’s due for not showing it 😂😂😂😂😂
@pne_jamie: Back at Wycombe for season 23/4
@jacobbuckles15: Wtf did I just watch
@Alex79uk: I was genuinely expecting a David Brent lookalike to come through the door playing Simply The Best on a tape deck 😆
@ADAMCOL41422036: Why did the players applaud? When I do a similar ritual prior to making love, my girlfriend just tells me she has a headache.
@adam7485: How’s he lost the dressing room in a week 😂
@PabloAnon010: Then they got twatted at Blackpool
@DaveDeeney11: How to lose a dressing room 🤣
@indiajxnexx: What on earth
@ben_liversidge: I’m going to enjoy every minute of Ainsworth getting found out at QPR 😂
@burnleyfc1: Look at them faces 😂😂😂
@Matt_Walker96: The EFL is the greatest thing in sport. Discuss.
@NathanJarvis95: Wait, this wasn’t a prank?
@Jake__Kimberley: Fucking hell 😂😂😂
— Jimmy Win 500 (@JimmyJimmyWin) March 15, 2023
Same Energy pic.twitter.com/gdamL94NW4
— Louiš Richards (@LouisRich_100) March 15, 2023
I love how everyone else has genuine ‘wtf?’ faces but these three lads have the classic ‘this has incredible banter value for later’ *trying to hide a smirk but letting enough out so your mate notices* look of all lads in school when the teacher goes off on something weird… https://t.co/z1OACgAcqx pic.twitter.com/0PapRjCRk2
— Mitch Cook’s Left Foot (@cooksleft) March 15, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login