QPR confirm the sacking of their manager Gareth Ainsworth having now gone on a run of nine Championship games without a win.
The 50-year-old had left League One club Wycombe Wanderers after 11 years, in favour of a role as QPR boss in February.
It wasn’t the tenure he hoped it would be however with Ainsworth only winning five of his 28 games in charge, and the club have now lost six consecutive matches including Saturday’s defeat by league leaders Leicester.
Assistant boss Richard Dobson also departs, with the club 22nd and with just eight points from 14 games.
Gareth Ainsworth has departed with immediate effect.
We’d like to thank Gareth for his commitment, desire, passion and professionalism.
He’ll always be welcome in W12.
Full details ⤵️
— QPR FC (@QPR) October 28, 2023
BREAKING: Neil Warnock is very interested in returning to QPR as manager for a third time.
QPR have also sounded out ex-Cardiff boss Sabri Lamouchi.
– talkSPORT sources understand
🚨 More on our website ☞ https://t.co/PVsrFYa8AU pic.twitter.com/usk0nLos80
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 28, 2023
GARETH Ainsworth has departed QPR with immediate effect after being relieved of his position as head coach tonight (Saturday).
Ainsworth returned to W12 in February 2023, helping the club retain its Championship status with memorable wins at Burnley and Stoke City.
However, following a difficult start to the current campaign, the board have made the decision to part company with Ainsworth and his assistant Richard Dobson.
QPR CEO Lee Hoos said: “Making a call such as this is never easy, and it is even more difficult when you have such respect on both a personal and professional level for the individuals concerned – which we all do for Gareth and Richard.
“Many supporters have told me in recent months that they have never wanted someone to succeed more than Gareth, which is an indication of the fondness everyone associated with QPR has for him.
“Unfortunately, results this season haven’t gone the way we all wanted and we feel a change is necessary.
“Gareth has been a pleasure to work with from the moment he arrived and I am truly sorry this has not worked out as we all had hoped.
“On behalf of the board, I wholeheartedly thank Gareth for his commitment, desire, passion and professionalism. We all have the utmost respect for him, and he will always be welcome here.
“We understand the importance of appointing a new head coach quickly and an announcement on this will follow in the coming days.”
A red card cost QPR as Harry Winks scored a late Foxes winner to seal all three points and put more misery on QPR.
QPR’s Gareth Ainsworth:
“Naivety has cost us again. It’s cost us over the past two games. Out of the four bookings that have cost us two red cards, I think there’s only one legitimate foul in there and the rest has been just stupidity. Andre has reacted just as Fatawu wanted him to. The referee has no choice but to give a second yellow. We had a plan put in place that I think was working, but again you need 11 men, especially against the top-of-the-league team. I thought there were some superb performances for us. There wasn’t much in the game at all until Andre falls for the trick of gamesmanship from Fatawu.
“Andre has to learn from that. It was always going to be tough after that. It still took a world-class goal to beat us. I am proud of that performance. I can hold my head up high and say we gave absolutely everything. As long as that keeps happening we’ll amass enough points to stay in this division.”
Leicester’s Enzo Maresca:
“We have just one problem: we are still in October. I would like to still be in the same position in February, March and April. You can lose a game for many reasons, but for sure you can lose a game if you have a drop in intensity. We know that because we always mention that. If you come here, against this team, after their five (defeats) in a row, and you drop a little bit in terms of intensity, then they will beat us for sure.
“As long as we remain with the same intensity then we can win more games than we lose. But the players deserve it. The way they work on the ball and off the ball, they make an unbelievable effort. They are open-minded and fantastic.”
The gaffer gives his reaction 🗣 pic.twitter.com/4lUmaffMK3
— QPR FC (@QPR) October 28, 2023
Twitter users reacted as QPR confirm the sacking of Gareth Ainsworth after a run of nine Championship games without a win…
@nadinedereza: Right decision but with a heavy heart as we definitely have great respect for Gareth and his passion for the club. Wish GA all the best…
@OxfQPR91: Had to happen! Deep down we’re all gutted it didn’t work out but we can’t allow sentimental feelings to keep ruining the season. Wish him all the best. Now make a sensible decision with the replacement I beg you!!
@latest_qpr: Really feel bad for him because there’s no doubt he’s a great guy but just not been the right mix. Will always be a club legend for his time as a player. Always an R 🔵⚪️ good luck Gareth!
@derekhailey501: Really sorry that it didn’t work out for Gareth. He clearly loves the club and it would have been great if he’d been able to succeed. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be but I wish him well for the future. Perhaps we can all get back to remembering him as a fine player for #QPR
@alanfullerqpr: I will always have you down as a legend as a player I hoped and prayed it would work out as a manager but it hasn’t worked all the best Gareth #QPR
@dean_fry9: Thank you Wild Thing Absolutely Fantastic Player Just didnt work out as a Manager
@Boizey: Totally the right decision. Can’t fault his passion for the club and will always be a playing legend but way out of his depth this season. We must make the next appointment the right one! Carty on as we are and it’s League one next year. I’d take Beale back 🔵⚪️🔵
@robertwferry: Had to happen, sadly. Will always remember Ainsworth the player very fondly, and I hope that’s how we, as a fan base, will do so.
@Boblar1968: Right thing for everyone involved, club, team, fans and for Gareth. All the best for the future GA.
@JoshFenwick23: If Paul Hall manages Rotherham we lose, need to have a replacement lined up if it took this long
@rufc_pod: Week before we play them 😩
@CaptainMeh: It’s the right move, but not something I will be celebrating. Gareth Ainsworth is a QPR legend and he always will be. I only hope that the next manager has even half the passion and love for our club as he does.
@TheRealVickyTea: No hard feelings. Just wasn’t the right fit.
@dangerrice: A great guy and this was his dream job. Gutted it didnt work out. Wish him all the best.
@QPRW12JA: For me it comes with great sadness a Rangers legend who I so wanted to succeed but its a results business and we are in a dreadful place.Interesting to see who comes in and if they can get any more out of these players. It does feel like a final throw of the dice before oblivion
@bggbull: I do feel for him but something had to happen. Hope he finds something soon he’s a good man
@WholeShow: Hope the players turn up now- Looking at you Dykes- who was laughing at the end, Chair, Paal, Dozzell, Dunne, Cook, Colback, Begovic. Never been so angry at a group of players in my life. You’re not fit to wear the hoops!
@samprior1882: Gutted it didn’t work out but it had to happen. Always will see Ainsworth in a positive light though
@dward1944: I think certain players have thrown Gareth Ainsworth under the Bus but for the number of sending offs has contributed to both QPR and Gareth Ainsworth’s demise wish him well in the Future .
@WholeShow: Lee Hoos- get out of this club now!
@dward1944: I think certain players have thrown Gareth Ainsworth under the Bus but for the number of sending offs has contributed to both QPR and Gareth Ainsworth’s demise wish him well I the Future
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