Wycombe Wanderers' long-serving manager Gareth Ainsworth has been linked with a move to the Championship ahead of a double-header against Bristol Rovers.
Ainsworth is the second-longest serving manager in the EFL, behind only Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver, but Sky Sports reports his time at Adams Park could be nearing an end after more than a decade in charge.
Former Blackpool manager Neil Critchley, who was Steven Gerrard's assistant at Aston Villa, is also in the frame to replace Michael Beale after he headed north of the border to Rangers earlier this month.
But Ainsworth is reportedly under "serious consideration" to take charge at the club where he spent seven seasons as a player, making more than 150 appearances for the Hoops. He also had two brief stints as caretaker manager at Loftus Road in 2008 and 2009.
Ainsworth's Chairboys have enjoyed sustained success during his decade in charge, rising from League Two to the Championship at their peak. This season, they are 10th in League One, finding their form in recent weeks after a sluggish start.
They host Joey Barton's Rovers at Adams Park on Boxing Day, with the return fixture following swiftly after, with Wycombe visiting the Mem on January 21.
Ainsworth has been linked with several moves to the Championship in recent years, with links to QPR appearing periodically, but should this be the time he departs, it could coincidentally come at a welcome time for the Gas, should his potential exit create uncertainty at Adams Park.
And Wycombe would not be the only club Rovers would face over the festive period with change in the dugout, with former Gas manager Ben Garner sacked by Charlton Athletic earlier this week following a poor run of form. Barton and his players travel to The Valley to face the Addicks on December 17.
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