Former Preston North End, Cardiff City, and QPR star considered for League One job

Former Preston North End midfielder Gareth Ainsworth is under consideration for the managerial vacancy at Burton Albion.

The Brewers are on the search for a new first-team manager after parting company with Mark Robinson. Robinson was only appointed in the summer, having been in charge of Chelsea’s development team, but was relieved of his duties following a poor start to the season.

At the time of Robinson’s sacking, they were bottom of League One, having picked up just four points from a possible 33, and 11 points adrift of safety. Tom Hounsell took interim charge but Burton were defeated 1-0 by Cambridge United, and now find themselves further adrift. 

According to the League Paper, Gareth Ainsworth is being considered for the post. He has been out of work since being dismissed as QPR boss last season.  

The 51-year-old would apparently ‘relish’ a return to English football’s third tier, having spent a large part of his managerial career in League One. He served Wycombe Wanderers for a lengthy period, managing them from 2012 to 2023. 

During his time at Adams Park, he helped the Chairboys win promotion to the Championship in 2020. He managed a total of 550 games at Wycombe, with a win percentage of 39.82%. 

He lasted just 28 games at QPR, winning just five games, and drawing 19 which gave him a win percentage of 17.86%. Ainsworth was relieved of his duties after six consecutive defeats, leaving them second from bottom after 14 games last season.

Ainsworth was born in Blackburn and came through their youth academy but had three separate spells as a player with North End. He joined from Northwich Victoria in 1992 but was allowed to go to Cambridge United, and later John Beck signed him for PNE when he was appointed in October 1992. 

He spent three years at Deepdale and even played as a goalkeeper for 13 minutes. He helped North End reach the play-off final, but they lost to one of his future clubs Wycombe. Ainsworth followed Beck to Lincoln City in October 1995 but returned to PNE in 2002 on loan.