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Gareth Ainsworth ‘walks out’ of Shrewsbury Town to take over at Gillingham

Gareth Ainsworth ‘walks out’ of Shrewsbury Town, bottom of League One, to take over at Gillingham, 19th in League Two.

Ainsworth is set to leave his position as head coach of Shrewsbury Town to take over as manager of Gillingham after a deal was agreed.

Shropshire Star report of rumours of him potentially being on his way out first emerging last week with it claimed he had been spotted in the Kent town.

Ainsworth, who was appointed Shrewsbury’s head coach in November 2024, has faced a challenging tenure, with the team currently at the bottom of League One, struggling to avoid relegation.

His departure comes amid a difficult season for Shrewsbury, marked by a series of losses and fan frustration towards the running of the club.

Shrewsbury are 24th in League One with with 28 points from 37 games played, 14 points from safety. Gillingham are 19th in League Two with 43 points from 37 games played, 13 points above the drop zone and 16 points from the playoff places.

SHREWSBURY STATEMENT:

I’m writing this open letter because I understand there is a lot of anger, worry and concern among supporters.<

As you will be aware from media reports this morning – and much to our shock and dismay – Gareth Ainsworth has informed us he wishes to leave the club after receiving an offer from a League Two club.

First of all, I can confirm that the club has done absolutely everything in its power to persuade Gareth to stay.

Failing that, we also asked if he would continue until the end of the season.

Gareth’s contract contained a termination clause which the League Two club in question initially refused to meet.

We made clear from that point we would not allow him to leave and that we wanted him to honour the remainder of his contract.

But Gareth made clear he wanted to leave immediately, despite acknowledging the position the club are in at this moment in time.

At a board meeting yesterday afternoon, the League Two club had still refused to meet the termination clause.

But at 4.41pm yesterday, STFC received confirmation that the club had agreed to pay the full termination fee for both Gareth Ainsworth and Richard Dobson.

This took any further negotiations out of our hands – and Gareth and Richard once again expressed their desire to leave immediately.

A few weeks ago, I sat down with Gareth and offered him a two-year contract extension regardless of our divisional status because, as a club, we were excited about the future with him at the helm.

Gareth seemed pleased we made that offer and everyone was looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

While we only received the final paperwork from the League Two club this afternoon, I would like to – as much as possible – reassure fans that we are already in discussion with suitable candidates for the head coach role.

We are working really hard to have someone in place for Saturday.

Once again, I fully understand why our supporters are feeling frustrated, confused and concerned.

I can assure you, as a supporter myself, the current situation hurts me more than I can ever express.

And with the club still in an exclusivity agreement regarding a potential takeover, we will keep you updated with events as they happen. 

Ainsworth said, after defeat to Burton Albion: “There is a fear factor coming in now, I can feel it in the boys, and I have to try and alleviate that.

“They are feeling the pressure, I know that, and I can see it. Some of them have not been in this position as there are some young boys in there.

“I want to give them the message of no fear and good body language. They have got nothing to lose but they looked like they were playing a little bit within themselves and a bit careful.

“As soon as we conceded, the boys looked like they were defeated and that is really disappointing.

“I was giving everything to the end on the touchline and I want them to follow.”

Twitter users reacted as Gareth Ainsworth reportedly ‘walks out’ of Shrewsbury Town to take over at Gillingham

@OffTheLineBlog: Gareth Ainsworth to #Gills. Doesn’t fix my stylistic worries at Gills. Fear won’t be a success unless given time to create a “culture”; luxury not afforded to Clemence / Bonner. Did well @ #WWFC with getting out of L2. He MUST be allowed to recruit to fit his style Hess-free. Mixed views; ultimately, Dice Roll #3 of “Hire Previous L2 Promotion Winner” Tour. I’d already identified the signings that I think The Gills should have made for my piece. Now: back to the drawing board. A very different “set” of players needed.

@Paul_Beaney: I’m buying a leather jacket 🧥

@Salop1977: Don’t blame him either, club is a shit show under Wycherley. Good luck to him. #Salop

@keelan_____: We needed a nice fresh restart. Whether people wanted Coleman to stay or not, at least with Ainsworth we have someone we can all get behind.

@masonx0280: Oh, HMS piss the league time baby

@davidwt1997: I think this sends a clear message as to where Salop are right now. The feeling around the ground in the aftermath of the game against the Brewers the other week was quite telling, and this maybe suggests things aren’t as good as the horizons suggested. #Salop #BAFC

@alexgress: wtf?!? 🤣🤣

@bigev84: Very happy with that!

@Hambo1982: What on earth!

@Darren_Chandler: Happy with Ainsworth. 👍 #Gills

@gfcpemble: Think this is really good if true. Chance to properly look at the squad and build for next year. Presumably the manager we wanted to get in, clearly they need to get this right and stick with him now #gills

@Champ_GFC74: A rare commodity in modern football days, both with owners and fans alike , i know, but for the love of God, can we please have some time and patience with this appointment. 🙏 #Gills

@Naylor94: I’m actually really quite excited about the appointment of Ainsworth. If there’s one thing he’s really good at, it’s uniting a fan base behind its side. Something we haven’t had barring four weeks under Bonner. As long as he’s given time now to get his ideas across #Gills

@rachaelsasha: Oh my fucking God, is this for real? Gareth Ainsworth to be our gaffa? Just wow!!!! 🤯 #gills

@IMRMEZZI: I know top v bottom can be a daunting task, but to leg it to a bottom end L2 side to get out of it is a new one 🤣 #bcfc #salop

@jack_the_gill: This is an exceptional appointment imo. But we truly are a circus at this point. Let’s hope we give him more than 6 months.

@TheLeftyScot: Tried to be patient, but if this does come out as true then fans have every right to be angry, and to protest the current regime. Ainsworth & the takeover were sold as mutually exclusive, and supposed to be the things to be hopeful about for the future. Shameful. #Salop

@EmlynTimmons: A great job for anyone in the summer with the budget to become available and players out of contract… glad we’ve gone with experience #gills 💙

@loganstfc: #Salop social media has gone from happy birthday Toto to absolute meltdown in the space of 20 minutes

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