Former QPR boss among contenders for Shrewsbury Town job – Stockport County figure also eyed
11/08/2024 06:45 AM
QPR sacked Gareth Ainsworth in October 2023 and now, he’s among the contenders for the Shrewsbury Town job, as per the Shropshire Star.
QPR hired Ainsworth in February 2023 as they scrambled to stave off relegation.
Neil Critchley struggled after coming in to replace Michael Beale and after nearly 10 years at the helm of Wycombe Wanderers, Ainsworth returned to West London to join the club that offered him his first coaching roles.
He ultimately steered the R’s clear of the drop, but a dismal start to the 2023/24 season saw him sacked early. Ainsworth has remained out of management since, occasionally taking up a punditry role for Sky Sports.
Now though, the former QPR boss is under consideration for a comeback.
Shrewsbury Town are without a boss after parting ways with Paul Hurst and as per local news outlet the Shropshire Star, Ainsworth is among the managers in contention for the vacant post.
Former Burton Albion boss Dino Maamria and Stockport County coach Andy Mangan – a former Salop player who saw a Real Madrid move fall through earlier this year – are also potential targets for the League One club as they weigh up their options.
Ainsworth’s return?
Ainsworth’s time as QPR boss didn’t do much good for his stock. They just about survived but in the early stages of the following season, football was poor and so were the results.
Nevertheless, his work while at Wycombe Wanderers should still be held in very high regard.
With a limited budget, he had them regularly competing in League One before a remarkable rise to the Championship. They made a good fist of it in the second-tier too, with the spirit and togetherness of the Adams Park group at a level rarely seen in the modern game.
That could be just what Shrewsbury Town need amid their tough times, but they’ll be keeping their options open in the bid to replace Hurst.
The task ahead
While it remains to be seen just who takes the reins at Shrewsbury Town, a big task lays ahead of the next boss.
Salop sit down in 23rd in the League One table after a miserable campaign to date. They’re only three points off safety but eight points from 14 games is a poor return, with just two wins and two draws in that time.
Survival will be the priority of the next boss but it will also be hoped they can build a bond between the team and supporters again amid some difficult times in Shropshire.
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