Former Preston North End midfielder Gareth Ainsworth could make a return to Championship management with Queens Park Rangers.
The R’s have already been linked with one former PNE ace following Michael Beale’s decision to leave QPR for Rangers.
The Daily Mail reported in November that QPR fancy Manchester City coach Brian Barry-Murphy, who spent four years in the North End ranks.
QPR still haven’t appointed a replacement though and their pursuit will surely ramp up after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Burnley.
Sky Sports News now claim that a former PNE man is in the mix with QPR considering a move for Gareth Ainsworth.
They suggest that Wycombe Wanderers boss Ainsworth is under ‘serious consideration’ by the Loftus Road hierarchy.
It’s unclear whether Ainsworth wants to leave Wycombe but the emotional pull of QPR could be strong.
Ainsworth spent seven years of his playing career with QPR, racking up 22 goals in 152 games.
Ainsworth even had two spells as QPR’s caretaker manager and could now be offered the job on a full-time basis.
The 49-year-old had three spells with PNE as a player and remains a popular figure, something of a cult hero, with North End supporters.
North End fans always wish Ainsworth well but if a move to QPR takes place this week, that stance may just change.
QPR are the next opponents for Ryan Lowe’s side and that means Ainsworth’s first game in charge of the R’s could come at Deepdale.
That sounded strange enough when it was Barry-Murphy potentially in line for the job, never mind somebody with a much stronger connection to PNE in Ainsworth.
There are many other names in the mix for QPR though, and it could even be Neil Critchley – the former Blackpool boss – who ends up taking the R’s job and potentially takes on Lowe next weekend.
Update: QPR have now confirmed the appointment of Critchley, killing off the idea of Ainsworth heading back to Loftus Road.
Critchley’s last trip to Deepdale ended in a 1-0 defeat in the Lancashire derby against Blackpool back in April, and North End fans would love to see a repeat.