Potential Gillingham manager: Gareth Ainsworth in-depth analysis

The ME7 Podcast's Owen Stanley takes a deep dive into the career and credentials of the man currently listed as the favourite to get the Gillingham job, Gareth Ainsworth.

Stephen Clemence’s dismissal this past week sparked huge debate between the Gillingham fanbase and left us ultimately pondering another summer of the unknown at ME7. The “experiment” of hiring an unproven commodity in the former assistant of Gills favourite Steve Bruce, Stephen Clemence, proved to be a failed one in the eyes of certain areas of the fanbase and, more importantly, the eyes of those who make such calls, The Galinsons. 

Now, we can talk and debate on and on regarding whether the dismissal of Clemence was a fair or harsh one. However, it’s now time to look to the future and discuss potential heirs to the Gillingham throne. Owner Brad Galinson took to social media to update and inform fans of the strategy regarding the next appointment, as he revealed that around 10 interviews with potential candidates had already taken place.

With that said, let’s take a look at a select number of potential suitors, starting with the man currently at the top of the “Next Gillingham Manager” betting market…

Gareth Ainsworth: Managerial career

• 2008-2009 – Queens Park Rangers (caretaker)

• 2012-2023 – Wycombe Wanderers

• 2023-December 2023 – Queens Park Rangers

Since surfacing as a potential candidate, Gareth Ainsworth has perhaps split opinions amongst the fanbase the most. Personality is something that certainly can’t be argued with the former Wycombe man. A rock-and-roll lifestyle with a hairstyle reminiscent of 1980’s California aided the creation of “Wild Thing” as a well suited nickname. 

The story so far…

Ainsworth’s playing career spanned 22 years (1991-2013) with 561 appearances in total, 114 with Wycombe Wanderers, a club he has become synonymous with. 

September 2012 saw Ainsworth take over The Chairboys as caretaker manager while still being an active player, and earned his first win as Wycombe boss (against Torquay United) thanks to a goal converted from his own cross.

Two months later, Ainsworth was appointed Wycombe manager on a permanent basis. By December, Wanderers were 10 points clear of the League Two relegation zone, having picked up a limp four points from the seven games prior to Ainsworth’s initial caretaker appointment. This earned Ainsworth the Manager of the Month award for December 2012. This stint earned Ainsworth a two-year contract extension as Wycombe manager in early 2013, as he brought the curtain down on his playing career.

The Wanderers’ next four years saw the club stabilise after a big threat of relegation loomed in 2014, with The Chairboys surviving on goal difference on the final day. However, the following seasons of 2017-18 and 2019-20 were campaigns for the Wycombe history books. Ainsworth masterminded two promotions in three seasons as he took the club from League Two to the Championship and exorcised the demons of their penalty shoot-out loss to Southend United in the 2015 Playoff Final. It was monumental achievement for a club with whom Ainsworth holds an undeniable bond. 

Wycombe went on to be relegated from the second tier the following season, finishing 22nd and falling through the trap door on the final day, back to the third tier where they have remained ever since. 

The 2021-22 season saw Wycombe back at Wembley hoping to record an immediate return to the Championship. However, a 2-0 defeat to Sunderland put paid to that. Rumours circulated of a potential move to Queens Park Rangers, a switch that did not come to reality until February 2023.

Loftus Road proved to be a bridge too far for Ainsworth, who was sacked eight months later. “Wild Thing” has been without a club ever since, and in my opinion represents a ready-made replacement for Stephen Clemence at Priestfield. 

Playing style

Style of play is the main aspect of this potential appointment that has proved the most debate among Gills fans. Ainsworth is very attack-minded, while adding an element of physicality to his teams – he likes his sides to press high and press aggressively.

This approach could bring out the qualities of a George Lapslie for example, a high presser and willing runner who could thrive within this style. I look back to my last visit to Adams Park, a 2-0 defeat for Gills to Ainsworth’s Wycombe side. Granted, Gillingham didn’t cover themselves in glory, with a missed penalty to boot. However, Ainsworth’s style was clear, direct and effective. Goals from Gareth McCleary and former Gill Brandon Hanlan had the game all but wrapped up after around six or seven minutes as the Gills struggled to cope with the high press and in-your-face nasty nature of Ainsworth’s side. 

It’s also worth noting the use of Sam Vokes in this system. A big target man who is able to hold up the ball and allow wide players to spring off him as a result, his presence alone was enough to occupy centre halves and allow for the likes of Hanlan and McCleary to benefit. 

This is where I think Ainsworth could be the perfect boss for a young Gills striker with a similar build to Vokes – Josh Andrews. Josh has shown promise in his short time at ME7, and his earlier stint with Accrington Stanley, and with the right manager/system he can really flourish. I feel due to his experience and success of using Vokes as a target man at Wycombe, this approach could be replicated with Andrews who, at 22, has a lot of potential that could be released under the tutelage of the right manager.

Ainsworth often opted for a two up top approach, differing to both Clemence and Neil Harris, who both tended to prefer the one up top approach, whether it be Oli Hawkins or Josh Andrews for Clemence or Macauley Bonne, Ashley Nadesan or Tom Nichols for Harris, who was without the aforementioned duo in his time here this season. 

I’d look towards almost a throwback set up under Ainsworth, the typical big and little man set up (a-la Cody and Bayo). Andrews, you would imagine, will be a starter next term and, given his own aerial ability and superior mobility to Hawkins, you would assume he’d be the first choice between those two. Add a nippy finisher alongside him and you are looking at a very exciting and potentially effective partnership. It’s easier said than done, of course, but it is down to the Gillingham FC recruitment team to find the perfect strike partner for Andrews up top. 

Playing with width

Ainsworth’s use of wide players is also intriguing to me. Again, using Wycombe as an example, it’s clear to see the structure in place and the use of both Gareth McCleary and Jordan Obita, both players in possession maintain width and look to be direct against their full back as a winger is expected to do, while also contributing with goals and assists and also being beneficiaries of Sam Vokes and his qualities and ability to disrupt defences. This appeals to me should we bring in the right calibre of player to take up this role. We have lacked a direct wide player for quite some time and if used correctly, as I feel it would be within this system, it could be hugely effective. 

Ainsworth also gives freedom to his full backs to push forward and complement his side’s attacks through the use of his high press tactics to win the ball high through the midfield, who will look up and have space out wide for the full backs to take up. In Remeao Hutton, Gills have one of the top assisters and full backs in the division – he hasn’t quite hit the heights since his arrival (though that hasn’t all been down to him – we have missed a LOT of sitters). However, I feel next year could be a big year for him and this system and way of playing would bring a lot out of him. The pressing side of the team specifically will aid him. It’s something we lacked this season due to the lack of mobility within the forward line. 

Out of possession, Ainsworth allows his teams to become very compact and difficult to play through, the wide players tuck in to create a line of five across the middle, secondary wing backs, per se. This makes it incredibly difficult for a side to break them down. It might not be pretty, but when you are looking to see out a game it has to be done, and it allows for a side to remain resilient and also have the ability to counter should the ball be won back. 

Experienced heads

Finally, Ainsworth is someone who likes experience and leaders. He had this throughout the spine of his great Wycombe sides. I look to Joe Jacobsen, Ryan Tafazolli, Matt Bloomfield, and Sam Vokes, just to name a few, who were able to provide that know how that Ainsworth likes within his squad. While we have experienced heads in our ranks, it’s no secret that not many of them are true leaders, which is something that must be corrected this summer.

Ainsworth will look to a squad that has at least one standout leader – it’s something he’s had through his whole managerial career. So it’s a case of either bringing in his own, or having our pre-existing experienced players step up and become that leader for him. It’s of interest that full back Joe Jacobsen, who was Ainsworth’s captain at Wycombe, is now available on a free transfer. If Ainsworth is to come in, I would look to bet my house on Jacobsen following him.

As you’ve probably deduced by now, Ainsworth is my personal pick for the job. After much consideration, I feel the building blocks are there, and his style of play, while not always being pretty, is effective. Ultimately, I’d rather win 1-0 with horrible football than pass the ball 1,000 times and lose 1-0. Promotions and success are what we should be looking for in this next appointment. Ainsworth not only has that, but also has evidence of improving and taking a team from mediocrity to success. 

I understand this is a long read so I appreciate your time.

By Owen Stanley (@OwenLDBR)