Bristol Rovers’ League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers are set to lose long-standing manager Gareth Ainsworth, three weeks before they’re due to play the Gas at the Mem.
Multiple reports claim Ainsworth is poised to be confirmed as the new manager of Championship side Queens Park Rangers having emerged as the board’s preferred candidate after the sacking of Neil Critchley on Sunday night.
Ainsworth is the second longest-serving manager in the EFL, after Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver, and the longest in League One, having first taken over at Wycombe in 2012 and his departure will leave a huge void in the decision-making at Adams Park.
Wycombe have achieved two promotions on his watch, established themselves as a consistent force in the third tier and Ainsworth’s personality and playing style have become intrinsic to the club’s identity and culture over the last decade.
Rovers were due to play Wycombe at the Mem on January 20 but the game was postponed due to a frozen pitch and the encounter will now take place on Tuesday, March 14.
The Chairboys are seventh, just three points outside the play-offs after a run of five straight victories and losing Ainsworth would represent a huge blow to their promotion aspirations having sold star man Anis Mehmeti in January to Bristol City, while defender Alfie Mawson was forced into retirement due to persistent knee injuries.
Rovers were beaten 2-1 at Adams Park on Boxing Day, falling victim to Wycombe’s direct style of play which led to some barbed comments from Joey Barton at their approach under Ainsworth, albeit recognising the job he’s done in Buckinghamshire.
"He has been here for years, has kept them up, got them to the Championship and if he had a better style of football, he probably would have got a bigger job than this," Barton said.
"I don’t know if it’s the red skin boots, the leather jacket or the amount of time the ball is in the air that has cost him a move, but again, that’s great for him and he has done an incredible job here at Wycombe.
"I wouldn’t swap for any of their players, their style of football or their ground – albeit the pitch here is very nice, but it’s not as good as ours.
"Credit to Gaz. His neck muscles must be really strong, but I am not watching good footballers standing there and booting the ball as far as they can. For me, that’s not how the game is played, but I’m sitting here with no points."
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