Former Wycombe Wanderers and QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth has been linked with the soon-to-be vacant head coach position at Women’s Super League side Chelsea, as reported by Bucks Free Press.
Ainsworth is currently out of work after leaving Championship side Queens Park Rangers after eight months at Loftus Road. Of his 14 games in charge of the West London club this season, the side only managed to pick up two wins, accompanied by two draws and ten losses in the Championship.
The position at the WSL side will soon be available, with current boss Emma Hayes departing at the end of the season to take over the United States women’s international team. Hayes has won multiple honours at Chelsea, including six league titles and five FA Cups. The side is looking to continue winning ways and are three points ahead of Manchester City at the time of writing.
The 50-year-old was in charge of League One side Wycombe Wanderers for over 500 games, leading them to the Championship in that time. However, following his QPR exit, he has decided to take a break from management, focusing on his music career. Despite this, he has not ruled out a return to the game.
Ainsworth finds himself among prestigious company linked with the job at Chelsea. Current OL Reign boss Laura Harvey and Aston Villa’s Casey Ward are just two names reportedly being discussed for the manager’s position with the Blues.
Writer’s View
Ainsworth may be taking a break from management following his poor spell with QPR. However, given Martí Cifuentes’ record with the R’s, it shows that there may be more problems than the manager at the club, with only one more win than Ainsworth. The 50-year-old will be keeping an eye out to try and revitalise his managerial career. Chelsea would be a bold move for him. The expectations would be high when Hayes leaves, as she has won 242 of her 342 games in charge of the club.