Gareth Ainsworth the early favourite as QPR plot swift new manager appointment

QPR are keen to swiftly appoint their third manager of the season in a bid to halt the club’s slide towards the Championship relegation zone, with Gareth Ainsworth the early favourite.

The club parted company with Neil Critchley only 12 games into his three-and-a-half-year contract, as a campaign that began with hope of a promotion push threatens to turn into a nightmare.

QPR were top of the division after beating Wigan in late October, but have since won just one of their past 17 matches under Critchley and predecessor Michael Beale, who left for Rangers in December.

That sole victory came against Preston in Critchley’s first game in charge but the former Liverpool assistant took just five points from his next 10 league games and crashed out of the FA Cup against League One Fleetwood Town, with large sections of the home support at Loftus Road having turned.

QPR sit 17th, just eight points above the drop zone, and want a new boss installed quickly to revive their campaign.

Wycombe boss Ainsworth, who spent seven years at Loftus Road as a player, is the frontrunner having been linked with the post in the past. Nathan Jones, sacked last week by Southampton, is also apparently being considered.