Ian Holloway maintains his belief in Gareth Ainsworth’s potential to bring brighter days to Loftus Road. Former Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway remains confident that Gareth Ainsworth is the right man to turn around the fortunes of his former club. The past year has been quite challenging for the R’s, starting the 2022/23 season under Mick Beale’s leadership but subsequently struggling and seeing Beale move to Scottish Premiership side Rangers.
However, Ainsworth took the reins in February, moving from Wycombe Wanderers to QPR, which was fighting relegation. Unfortunately, results didn’t see a significant improvement under his management during the remainder of the season, with only back-to-back victories at Burnley and Stoke City saving them from relegation. Despite the overall poor campaign, QPR fans hoped that the summer transfer window could help Ainsworth turn things around.
But as of the 2023/24 season, the team’s performance hasn’t been stellar, with only two wins in their first five league games. They have since struggled, losing seven out of 11 league games and exiting the EFL Cup in the first round. While Ainsworth is likely under pressure, he has not been sacked yet and continues to lead the team following the international break.
| Championship Table (As it stands w/c October 9th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 11 | -4 | 13 |
| 18 | Plymouth Argyle | 11 | -1 | 11 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 11 | -7 | 11 |
| 20 | Watford | 11 | -2 | 10 |
| 21 | Stoke City | 11 | -6 | 10 |
| 22 | QPR | 11 | -12 | 8 |
| 23 | Rotherham United | 11 | -12 | 6 |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday | 11 | -13 | 3 |
Despite the criticism from some fans, Ian Holloway remains a strong supporter of Ainsworth. Holloway emphasized the need for the team to recapture the spirit of old and urged fans to support the manager and give him time to make necessary changes. Holloway believes that Ainsworth’s commitment and care for the team make him a capable leader, but the players’ commitment also needs to improve.
The future of Gareth Ainsworth at QPR is uncertain. The team has been on a downward trajectory for a while, and the anticipated turning point in the summer hasn’t materialized. Questions surround Ainsworth’s position due to the talented players at the club’s disposal. If results do not improve soon, Ainsworth’s job could be at risk, but he will likely be given an opportunity to turn things around during the international break. The process might take time, as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” but improved results are essential.