Matt Bloomfield takes charge of Wycombe Wanderers - as Gareth Ainsworth departs
He'll take over from Gareth Ainsworth who joined Queens Park Rangers earlier today
Matt Bloomfield has agreed in principle to become the new manager of Wycombe Wanderers, returning to Adams Park following the departure of Gareth Ainsworth to Queens Park Rangers.
Ainsworth enjoyed a history-making decade in charge of the Chairboys, and moves to Loftus Road along with assistant manager Richard Dobson and analyst Josh Hart, bringing to an end his near 14-year association with the Blues after arriving initially as a player on loan from the Loftus Road outfit.
"Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers will forever remember the memories created by – and the legacy left by – Gareth Ainsworth"
Bloomfield made more than 500 appearances for Wycombe across an 18-year spell and took up his first managerial post in September, taking the reins at Colchester United and steering them well clear of the relegation zone in his five months in charge, earning the League 2 Manager of the Month award for January.
Ainsworth, widely renowned as the Wanderers’ greatest ever manager, became captain of Gary Waddock’s Wanderers before taking up a player-coach role and then becoming Waddock’s successor as manager in September 2012, going on to steer the club to safety from relegation in his first two seasons in charge before embarking on two promotion-winning campaigns, three trips to Wembley Stadium and a succession of cup adventures to achieve legend status at Wycombe Wanderers.
His finest hour came under the arch at Wembley in July 2020, guiding the club to the Championship for the first time in its history.
In a statement the Chairboys said: "Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers will forever remember the memories created by – and the legacy left by – Gareth Ainsworth and Richard Dobson throughout their time at Adams Park, and wishes the two of them, plus Josh, every success for the next chapter of their careers."
"We now look forward to the future under Matt’s leadership, starting with Saturday’s trip to Shrewsbury Town, and welcome him back to Adams Park to begin an exciting new chapter in the history of Wycombe Wanderers."