Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has responded to reports linking him to the managers job at Reading FC.
The Royals have endured a difficult start to the season under Noel Hunt, who replaced Ruben Selles when he departed the club in December 2024.
After narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season hopes were high among the Reading fans, but they have yet to find that form this campaign.
However, they did manage to pick up what was just their second league win of the season with victory over Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Ainsworth has been flying high in League Two with Gillingham with his sights set on promotion.
FootballLeagueWorld reported last week that Reading had been weighing up a move for Ainsworth if they were to dismiss Hunt.
Ainsworth has strong links to Reading owner Rob Couhig following their time together at Wycombe Wanderers.
However, Ainsworth has downplayed the rumours.
“It’s flattery and it’s not the first time. It’s great to see,” said Ainsworth when he was asked about the links to Reading.
“It means we’re doing something right at Gillingham.
“It’s a bit of clickbait I think, it’s a bit of people earning a living off starting these rumours.”
Despite dismissing the rumours, it is widely known that Couhig is a big fan of Ainsworth, and also Reading CEO Joe Jacobson, who joined the club this summer, played under Aisnworth’s management at Wycombe.
Ainsworth also lives locally to Reading and currently resides near Wokingham.
