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Shrewsbury Town boss Gareth Ainsworth is well known for being one of the characters of the EFL, but his latest move has left even those used to his behaviour completely stunned.
He took over the League One outfit in November 2024, with the club rock bottom of the table, after an unsuccessful spell at QPR in the Championship.
The former Wycombe manager has not been able to revive Salop’s fortunes, as they remain firmly rooted to the foot of the division and destined for relegation to English football’s fourth tier. They’re 14 points from safety with just nine games to play.
Despite only being at the club for less than six months, he’s already decided to jump ship – a move which has left fans fuming, especially as he’s joining a club near the bottom of League Two.
Gillingham set to appoint Gareth Ainsworth as their new manager
In a move that’s caught everyone by surprise, John Coleman is set to be replaced at Gillingham by Gareth Ainsworth, BBC reports.
Coleman himself had only been at Gillingham since January, having signed a deal at the club until the end of the season.
He’s not had a very successful spell, picking up just two wins in 14 games with the Gills lying in 19th.
The club will be hoping Ainsworth can transform their fortunes, having endured three disappointing seasons in League Two since dropping into the division at the end of the 2021/22 season.
He’ll be their fifth different manager in 18 months following the spells of Coleman, Mark Bonner, Stephen Clemence and Neil Harris.
Shrewsbury fans rage at Ainsworth move
The stunning managerial change has lit a fuse online, with Shrewsbury fans quick to voice their anger.
One fan pointed out what he believed is hypocrisy from their soon-to-be ex-manager: “Absolutely fuming. Ainsworth spent weeks saying how much he loved the club, the fans and the town, making promises he was here for the long haul.”
He continued: “Last week he shifted the blame to the players saying they were playing with fear and now he leaves us for a League Two club.”
“I was in a total fool’s paradise believing in Ainsworth and the takeover,” one fan wrote. Another took aim at the players too: “If Ainsworth has any decency at all then he’ll take Benning and Shipley with him.”
Whatever happens next, you can be sure Gareth Ainsworth will get an interesting reception from Salop fans when the two teams play each other in League Two next season.