Queens Park Rangers have made an official bid for Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth, according to the Telegraph’s John Percy.
QPR began the season with Michael Beale in charge, who replaced the departing Mark Warburton. The Englishman made a promising start to life at Loftus Road but was snapped up by Rangers at the end of November.
Former Blackpool boss Neil Critchley was the next to take over at the Rs. He was victorious in his first game at the helm away to Preston North End but failed to win any of the next 11 in all competitions.
As a result, the 44-year-old was dismissed. This run of form has left the west Londoners in 17th place in the Championship, just eight points above the relegation zone.
Their next managerial appointment is expected to be announced soon. QPR have reportedly reached an agreement with Wycombe for Ainsworth, and it is now up to the manager to decide whether he wants to move.
Ainsworth is already a fan favourite at Loftus Road. He made 152 appearances for the club during his playing career from 2003 to 2010, while also taking charge of 11 games as a player/manager.
Two years after leaving QPR, he was appointed as Wycombe’s boss. He remains at the club to this day, making him the second-longest serving manager in England’s top four divisions after Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver.
Having narrowly avoided relegation in his first full campaign, Ainsworth guided the Chairboys to fourth place in his second year. He was later named LMA League Two Manager of the Year for this achievement.
Three seasons later, Wycombe achieved promotion to League One, finishing in third place. Within two years, they were in the second tier for the first time in their history, defeating Oxford United in the play-off final.
However, their stint in the Championship lasted just one year, as they were relegated. As of now, Ainsworth has Wycombe in seventh place in League One, three points off the play-offs.
