Gareth Ainsworth SACKED as QPR manager with Hoops six points from safety after horror Championship start

GARETH AINSWORTH has been sacked as Queens Park Rangers manager.

The R’s fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City earlier today.

Their latest loss leaves them 23rd in the Championship table with just eight points from 14 games.

QPR already find themselves six points from safety.

Ainsworth, 50, starred for Rangers as a player between 2003 and 2010 – twice acting as caretaker boss during this stint.

He joined as manager in February this year, leaving Wycombe to do so after 11 years in charge.

His assistant Richard Dobson has also been sacked.

Confirming the decision to axe Ainsworth, QPR CEO Lee Hoos said: “Making a call such as this is never easy, and it is even more difficult when you have such respect on both a personal and professional level for the individuals concerned – which we all do for Gareth and Richard.

“Many supporters have told me in recent months that they have never wanted someone to succeed more than Gareth, which is an indication of the fondness everyone associated with QPR has for him.

“Unfortunately, results this season haven’t gone the way we all wanted and we feel a change is necessary.

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“Gareth has been a pleasure to work with from the moment he arrived and I am truly sorry this has not worked out as we all had hoped.

“On behalf of the board, I wholeheartedly thank Gareth for his commitment, desire, passion and professionalism. We all have the utmost respect for him, and he will always be welcome here.

“We understand the importance of appointing a new head coach quickly and an announcement on this will follow in the coming days.”

Ainsworth won just five of his 28 games in charge of QPR, drawing four and losing 19.

The R’s finished 20th last season, six points above the drop zone.

Stephy Mavididi gave Leicester a 30th minute lead during today’s clash at Loftus Road.

Andre Dozzell levelled in the 40th minute, only to go from hero to zero by getting sent off on the hour mark.

Leicester’s former Tottenham and England international Harry Winks then curled in a stunning winner ten minutes from time to consign QPR to defeat.

After the game but prior to his sacking, Ainsworth told the : “A crazy, naive moment has cost us.

“We were comfortable against the league leaders. We had a plan and the plan was in place, but you cannot go against a team like this with 10 men – although we almost saw it out.

“I’m proud of that performance – it sounds crazy for a sixth defeat on the spin. But I look at the statistics, the closing down, the fight, the desire, the belief in the players.

“If we keep playing like that, there will be enough in the tank to keep us in the Championship.”