Gareth Ainsworth is an English professional football manager and former player. He is famous for being the manager of the EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers. As a football player, his playing position was a midfielder and has played for teams including Northwich Victoria, Preston North end, Cambridge United, Lincoln City, Port Vale, Wimbledon, Cardiff City, Wycombe Wanderers, and more. He was able to play on the right wing or as an attacking midfielder, and had good crossing ability; he was also known as a pacey player in his 20s and early 30s. He has always had the itch to become a rock star, playing in bands like APA and Dog Chewed the Handle. Gareth is married and his wife’s name is Donna.
Gareth was appointed manager in November 2012 as a caretaker-manager of the club, Wycombe Wanderers. He left in February 2023 to become the manager of QPR. On 21st February 2023, he was appointed as Queens Park Rangers head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He is a very attack-minded manager, and likes his teams to play aggressively and with a high-pressing style. He is nicknamed ‘Wild Thing‘ due to his appearance and his rock star ambitions.
What is Gareth Ainsworth’s nationality?
Gareth Ainsworth took birth on May 10, 1973, which makes him the present age of 49 as of 2022. His place of birth is Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He is British when it comes to his nationality and his ethnic background is British-White. He is the son of his father, Bill Ainsworth, and his mother, Christine Ainsworth. His mother worked as a professional singer during the 1960s while his father worked in several different jobs including as a bookmaker, a driving instructor, and a factory clerk. He grew up with his brother, Liam Ainsworth. His parents were avid music fans and his mother taught Ainsworth to sing as a child.
Gareth graduated from the University of Liverpool with a Diploma in Professional Studies in Football Management in December 2019.
How was the career of Gareth Ainsworth?
Football Career
Gareth initially started his football career as a trainee with Second Division club Blackburn Rovers.
He was then dropped into the Football Conference with Northwich Victoria, scoring his first goal in the 3–1 home victory over Cheltenham Town on 26 October 1991.
Gareth then joined First Division Cambridge United under the management of John Beck. He had a spell on loan with former club Northwich Victoria, making his second debut for the “Vics” in a 2–1 home victory over Bromsgrove Rovers on 5 September 1992. He was sacked by Cambridge in October 1992.
Preston North End
His second spell with Preston lasted three years. He played in the Wembley final, but could not prevent Wycombe Wanderers from winning the game 4–2. He reached the playoffs again the following year but exited at the semi-final stage with a 2–0 aggregate defeat to Bury.
Lincoln City
In October 1995, Beck signed Ainsworth for a third time for a fee of £25,000. He scored 22 goals for the club in his 1996-1997 season. He later said that “It was the club where I played my best football, probably of my whole career”.
Port Vale
In September 1997 he signed for John Rudge’s First Division Port Vale for a club record £500,000 fee. During his early career with the club, he faced a leg injury.
Wimbledon
Gareth moved to Premier League side Wimbledon in November 1998 for a £2 million fee, again a club record for Port Vale. He played just eight times in the 1998–99 season. He was limited to just two appearances in 1999–2000. He managed twelve leagues and six FA Cup games in 2000–01.
Queens Park Rangers
In July 2003, he signed for the Second Division club Queens Park Rangers. He scored twice on his debut, in a 5–0 win over Blackpool on 9 August 2003.
Despite suffering from a knee injury in 2004–05 that limited him to 23 appearances, manager Ian Holloway offered him a new contract at the end of the season after telling the media that “he’s an important player to have around”. During the 2006–07 season, he struggled with injuries. His season ended in April after a scan revealed that he had broken his leg in a win over Luton Town.
He remained on the club’s coaching staff after Paulo Sousa was appointed as manager in November. Sousa’s reign did not last long however, and on 9 April 2009, he again took the role of caretaker-manager. He was considered for the vacant management position at former club Lincoln City in September 2009.
Wycombe Wanderers
On 20 November 2009, he joined League One club, Wycombe Wanderers on a month-long loan. He went on to sign an eighteen-month contract with Wycombe in February 2010. On 20th March 2010, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Exeter City. He retired from professional football on 27 April 2013, after playing his final game against his former club, Port Vale at Adams Park.
On 30 August 2016, he came on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy against Northampton Town and provided an assist for Garry Thompson in a 3–0 victory.
Managerial Career
On 24th September 2012, Ainsworth was appointed as Wycombe Wanderers’ caretaker-manager. In April 2013, he signed a new two-year managerial contract, and also announced his retirement as a player.
He ended an eight-match run without a win with a 1–0 victory over league leaders Chesterfield on 22 February, earning Ainsworth a mention as the Football League manager of the week.
Ainsworth signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2015 and was named that season’s LMA Manager of the Year for League Two. Wycombe finished the 2015–16 season in 13th place. He won League Two’s Manager of the Month award for January 2018 after having led his side to four wins in four games.
He ended the 2017–18 season in the third automatic promotion spot, leaving Ainsworth to state that “For us and Accrington to be in the top three this season, it’s turned the finances of this league on its head”. In June 2018, he extended his contract by another three years to remain as Wycombe’s boss.
He ended the 2018–19 season in 17th place, three points clear of the relegation zone. He was named the League One Manager of the Month for November 2019 after his team picked up ten points from four games without conceding a goal.
He signed another new contract in February 2020, which was described simply as “long-term”. He won the League One Manager of the Month award for April 2022 after his team picked up 17 points and scored 13 goals from seven games. Wycombe finished sixth in League One at the end of the 2021–22 season.
After the end of the 2021–22 season, Ainsworth was heavily linked to a move to former side Queens Park Rangers, but instead signed a contract extension with Wycombe.
Queens Park Rangers
On 21st February 2023, he was appointed as Queens Park Rangers head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Awards and Achievements
As a player
Queens Park Rangers
Second Division second-place promotion: 2003–04
Wycombe Wanderers
League Two third-place promotion: 2010–11
Individual
PFA Team of the Year: 1996–97 Third Division, 2010–11 League Two
Lincoln City Player of the Year: 1995–96, 1996–97
Port Vale Player of the Year: 1997–98
As a manager
Wycombe Wanderers
League One play-offs: 2020
League Two promotion: 2017–18
Individual
LMA League Two Manager of the Year: 2014–15
League One Manager of the Month: November 2019, April 2022
League Two Manager of the Month: March 2015, November 2016, January 2018
What is Gareth Ainsworth’s net worth?
Gareth Ainsworth is a professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers. He began his managerial career when he was appointed as Wycombe Wanderers’s caretaker-manager on 24 September 2012 following the sacking of then-head coach Gary Waddock. He was first making his income through his career as a footballer and now he is making it via his football coaching career.
Gareth has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2023. In October 1995, Beck signed Ainsworth for a third time, this time for a fee of £25,000. In September 1997 he signed for John Rudge’s First Division Port Vale for a club record £500,000 fee. Gareth is living a lavish lifestyle at a moment.
Who is Gareth Ainsworth’s wife?
Gareth Ainsworth is a married man. He tied the knot to his beautiful wife, Donna. His spouse is from Venezuela. The duo has been married for many years to date and the pair are enjoying their life a lot. The happily married couple does not have any sign of divorce between them and their love bond is going strong with the passage of time. He is straight when it comes to his sexual orientation.
Gareth has three children with his wife, Donna. The family is living a happy life without any disturbances.
How tall is Gareth Ainsworth?
Gareth Ainsworth is a handsome footballer with dark brown hair color while he has a pair of green eyes. His body type is athletic. He maintains his body a lot by doing frequent exercise.
Gareth Ainsworth stands at a height of 1.78 m or 178 cm. His balanced body weight consists of 79 Kg. He is very conscious about his food intake and he is very strict with his diet. He has got a healthy body as of now.
Trivias About Gareth Ainsworth You Need To Know.
He is a supporter of Blackburn Rovers and became a season ticket holder at the age of six.
He is considered a cult hero at Preston, Wimbledon, QPR, Port Vale, Lincoln City, and Wycombe Wanderers.
On 21 October 2010, he represented the English Football League at the unveiling of the Footballers’ Battalions memorial on the site of the Battle of the Somme.
He was a member of the Wycombe squad which was named as the PFA Football League Two Team of the Year for the 2010-11 season.
He made his youth debut with the Blackburn Rovers in 1989.
His parents are Bill and Christine Ainsworth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gareth Ainsworth.
Where was Gareth Ainsworth born?
Gareth Ainsworth was born in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Who is the father of Gareth Ainsworth?
The father of Gareth Ainsworth is Bill Ainsworth.
Who is the mother of Gareth Ainsworth?
The mother of Gareth Ainsworth is Christine Ainsworth.
