Carlton Palmer has addressed the future of QPR manager Gareth Ainsworth. Many had predicted that QPR would struggle in the relegation zone before the season began, and these predictions have indeed come true, with the team currently in 22nd place after 11 games.
Ainsworth has faced criticism for his management of the team, leading to speculation about his future at Loftus Road. Despite this, he remains in charge as the October international break approaches, though his future remains uncertain if the team’s poor form persists.
Palmer believes that Ainsworth’s successful track record with Wycombe Wanderers as a manager demonstrates his potential. He suggests that QPR should support their coach by providing the necessary resources to turn things around. Palmer stated, “Gareth Ainsworth, the manager of QPR, must be coming under increasing pressure for his job. I never advocate for a manager to lose his job. Gareth has proven himself in a very long and successful stint at Wycombe Wanderers. He must be on thin ice, even given all the problems that QPR face financially; he needs resources and he needs them quickly.”
QPR has struggled, with no wins in their last six games and only two league victories against Middlesbrough and Cardiff City. The team narrowly avoided relegation last season, and Ainsworth took over late in the campaign, following Neil Critchley, who had a brief tenure after replacing Michael Beale. Financial difficulties have added to the challenges for the manager.
Although there has been no indication that the club plans to dismiss Ainsworth, his future could change rapidly if results do not improve. QPR’s next match is against relegation rivals Huddersfield Town on October 21.
| 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 |
Ainsworth achieved success with limited resources at Wycombe but was unable to keep the team in the Championship after they earned promotion. It is possible that the demands of the second division have proven too much for him, and his managerial abilities might be better suited to League One. However, the challenging circumstances at Loftus Road should be considered when evaluating his performance so far.
The upcoming matches against Huddersfield, West Brom, Leicester City, Rotherham United, and Bristol City could be crucial in determining both QPR’s season and Ainsworth’s future as the team’s manager.