QPR announce Gareth Ainsworth as new manager

Queens Park Rangers have announced the appointment of former player Gareth Ainsworth as their new manager after sacking Neil Critchley.

Critchley had taken the Hoops job as a replacement for former manager Michael Beale who left to join Scottish Premier League giants Rangers.

However, QPR’s run of form under Critchley was abysmal, with the Englishman overseeing just one win in his 12 games in charge across all competitions.

The 3-1 defeat at the weekend was the last straw for the QPR bosses, who wasted no time dismissing Critchley and beginning the search for his replacement.

The Hoops’ disastrous run of form saw them slip from play-off contention in the Championship to 17th place, eight points above the relegation zone.

QPR have moved swiftly to appoint Ainsworth, who arrives at the Loftus Road Stadium after ending his 11-year association with English third-tier side Wycombe Wanderers.

“This is all a little bit surreal,” Ainsworth said after joining the club. “It has been a whirlwind two days, and leaving Wycombe Wanderers was very tough because of the connection there.

“But this is QPR, and when I spoke about something special forcing me away from Wycombe, this was pretty special.

“I really want to challenge myself. This is going to be a real challenge because the club is so special to me, and so huge as well.

“I want to get Loftus Road absolutely rocking again, and I hope the fans will get right behind me and right behind the team.

“To be trusted by the Board here and those above me, I want to be able to pay them back in droves. I will be giving my absolute everything for this football club.”

Ainsworth is a former QPR player who made 152 appearances for the club over a seven-year spell. He also became the club’s caretaker manager on two separate occasions.

QPR and Wycombe agreed a compensation package, with Ainsworth only signing a new deal with the Adams Park club last summer. 

The 49-year-old signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the west Londoners and will be tasked with improving the club’s current form.