Bristol Rovers' League One rivals hire former Wycombe and QPR manager in bid to avoid relegation

Shrewsbury Town have hired former Wycombe Wanderers and QPR head coach Gareth Ainsworth as their new boss as Salop look to turn around what has so far been a miserable season.

The Shropshire outfit sacked Paul Hurst almost a fortnight ago after an FA Cup first round exit at the hands of League Two side Salford City following a poor start to the campaign in League One. Shrewsbury are bottom of the table with just eight points from 15 matches. They also finished bottom of their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group with three defeats from three.

Now Ainsworth, who is back in management for the first time since being sacked by QPR last October, has been tasked with steering his new club to League One survival with there already a six-point gap to safety with 20th place Leyton Orient also boasting a game in hand.

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The 51-year-old is best known for his incredibly successful tenure at Wycombe Wanderers, taking the Chairboys from League Two to the Championship during a spell that lasted over 10 years. That period also included three play-off finals.

A former Hoops player, Ainsworth was given the opportunity to take over at QPR in February 2023, guiding them to Championship survival before a poor start to the 2023/24 campaign saw him lose his job.

Shrewsbury recruited three former Bristol Rovers players over the course of the summer in Luca Hoole, John Marquis and Jordan Rossiter who all left the Gas at the end of last season.

It was also reported that former Rovers coach and interim manager Andy Mangan was amongst the candidates for the job.

On the appointment, Salop chairman Roland Wycherley said: “On behalf of the board of directors, all supporters and everyone connected to Shrewsbury Town – I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Gareth and Richard [Dobson] at this difficult time.

“I wish them every success in their endeavours as they work to restore the feel-good factor to our club.”

Director of football Micky Moore added: “I’m delighted to welcome Gareth and Richard to the football club. I think it is a massive coup for Shrewsbury Town to have them here.

“From the moment we started the recruitment process, Gareth and Richard were our number one targets.

“I’ve known Gareth for a long time. He was the standout candidate. And he is someone I have always admired for the outstanding work he did at Wycombe.

“He brings to this football club an enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge having managed more than 150 games in League One. He is exactly what we need.

“I’m sure, in time, we will be able to build a football club that will really make the town and our supporters proud.

”The job he inherits at the Croud Meadow is a huge one though, with Town on eight points from their 15 League One games so far."

Ainsworth's first game in charge of Shrewsbury will be at home to League One promotion favourites Birmingham City next Saturday (November 23).

The Gas won't face Salop until March 4 at the Croud Meadow having beaten them 1-0 at the Mem last month.

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