Gareth Ainsworth is an English professional soccer manager And retired 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 played for teams such as Northwich Victoria, Preston North end, Cambridge United, Lincoln City, Port Vale, Wimbledon, Cardiff City, Wycombe Wanderers etc. 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 fast player in his twenties and early thirties. He always wanted to be 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 caretaker manager of the club, Wycombe Wanderers. He left in February 2023 to become the manager of QPR. On February 21, 2023, he was appointed head coach of Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half-year contract. He is a very attacking manager and likes his teams to play aggressively and with a high pressing style. He is nicknamed ‘wild thing‘ because of his rock star looks and ambitions.
What is Gareth Ainsworth’s nationality?
Gareth Ainsworth was born on May 10, 1973 which makes him current age of 49 in 2022. His birthplace is Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He is British as far as his nationality is concerned and his ethnic origin is British-White. He is the son of his father, Bill Ainsworth, and his mother, Christine Ainsworth. His mother worked as a professional singer in the 1960s while his father held several different jobs, including as a bookie, driving instructor and factory clerk. He grew up with his brother, Liam Ainsworth. His parents were huge music fans and his mother taught Ainsworth to sing as a child.
Gareth graduated from University of Liverpool with a Diploma of Professional Studies in Football Management in December 2019.
How was Gareth Ainsworth’s career?
Football career
- Gareth first started his football career as a trainee with second division club Blackburn Rovers.
- He was then launched into Conference Football with Northwich Victoria, scoring his first goal in the 3–1 home win over Cheltenham Town on 26 October 1991.
- Gareth then moved to Cambridge United’s First Division under manager John Beck. He was loaned out with former club Northwich Victoria, making his second debut for the “Vics” in a 2–1 home win over Bromsgrove Rovers on 5 September 1992. He was sacked by Cambridge in October 1992.
North end of Preston
- His second stint with Preston lasted three years. He featured 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 in the semi-finals with a 2–0 aggregate loss to Bury.
City of Lincoln
- 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 1996–97 season. He later said that “It was the club where I played my best football, probably in my whole career”.
Port Vale
- In September 1997 he signed for John Rudge’s Premier League side at Port Vale for a club record fee of £500,000. Early in his career with the club, he faced a leg injury.
Wimbledon
- Gareth joined Wimbledon in the Premier League in November 1998 for a fee of £2million, again a club record for Port Vale. He only played eight times during 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 second division club Queens Park Rangers. He scored twice on his debut, in a 5-0 win over Blackpool on 9 August 2003.
- Despite a knee injury in 2004-05 which 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 is an important player to have”. . During the 2006-07 season, he struggled with injuries. His season ended in April after a CT scan revealed he had broken his leg in a win against Luton Town.
- He remained in the club’s coaching staff after Paulo Sousa was appointed manager in November. Sousa’s reign did not last long, however, and on April 9, 2009, he again took over the caretaker-manager role. He was considered for the vacant managerial position at former club Lincoln City in September 2009.
The wanderers of Wycombe
- On November 20, 2009, he joined League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a month-long loan. He then signed an eighteen-month contract with Wycombe in February 2010. On 20 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, having played his last game against his former club, Port Vale at Adams Park.
- On August 30, 2016, he replaced the EFL Trophy against Northampton Town and provided an assist for Garry Thompson in a 3–0 win.
Managerial career
- On September 24, 2012, Ainsworth was appointed goalkeeper-manager of Wycombe Wanderers. In April 2013, he signed a new two-year managerial contract and also announced his retirement as a player.
- He ended an eight-game winless streak with a 1-0 win over league leaders Chesterfield on 22 February, earning Ainsworth a mention as Football League Manager of the Week.
- Ainsworth signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract in January 2015 and was named LMA Manager of the Year for League Two that season. Wycombe finished the 2015-16 season in 13th place. He won the Ligue 2 Manager of the Month award in January 2018 after leading his side to four wins in four games.
- He finished the 2017–18 season in third place for automatic promotion, leaving Ainsworth to state that “For us and Accrington to be in the top three this season, it has shaken up the finances of this league”. In June 2018, he extended his contract for three years to remain Wycombe boss.
- He finished the 2018-19 season in 17th place, three points from the relegation zone. He was named Ligue 1 Coach of the Month in November 2019 after his side collected 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 April 2022 League One Manager of the Month award after his side collected 17 points and scored 13 goals in seven games. Wycombe finished sixth in League One at the end of the 2021-22 season.
- Following the end of the 2021-22 season, Ainsworth was heavily linked with a move to former side Queens Park Rangers, but instead signed a contract extension with Wycombe.
Queens Park Rangers
- On February 21, 2023, he was appointed head coach of Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Awards and Achievements
As a player
Queens Park Rangers
- Promotion to Second Division Second Place: 2003–04
The wanderers of Wycombe
- Promotion to third place in Ligue 2: 2010–11
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: Third Division 1996–97, Ligue 2 2010–11
- Lincoln City Player of the Year: 1995–96, 1996–97
- Port Vale Player of the Year: 1997–98
As manager
- The wanderers of Wycombe
- Ligue 1 play-offs: 2020
- Promotion from Ligue 2: 2017–18
Individual
- LMA League Two Coach of the Year: 2014–15
- League One Manager of the Month: November 2019, April 2022
- Ligue 2 Coach 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 EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers. He began his managerial career when he was appointed interim manager of Wycombe Wanderers on 24 September 2012 following the dismissal of then head coach Gary Waddock. He first earned his income through his football career and now he does through his football coaching career.
Gareth has an estimated net worth of $5 million from 2023. In October 1995, Beck signed Ainsworth for the third time, this time for a fee of £25,000. In September 1997 he signed for John Rudge’s Premier League side at Port Vale for a club record fee of £500,000. Gareth is living a lavish lifestyle right now.
Who is Gareth Ainsworth’s wife?
Gareth Ainsworth is a married man. He tied the knot with his beautiful wife, donna. His wife is from Venezuela. The duo have been married for many years to date and the couple are enjoying their lives a lot. The happily married couple have no signs of a divorce between them and their bond of love is growing stronger with time. He is straight when it comes to his sexual orientation.
Gareth has three children with his wife, Donna. The family lives a happy life without any disturbance.
How tall is Gareth Ainsworth?
Gareth Ainsworth is a handsome footballer with dark brown hair while he has a pair of green eyes. His body type is athletic. He maintains his body a lot by exercising frequently.
Gareth Ainsworth is 1.78m or 178cm tall. His balanced body weight is 79 kg. He is very conscious of his food intake and he is very strict with his diet. He has a healthy body as of now.
