Reading FC are reportedly exploring the possibility of making Gareth Ainsworth their next manager if they are to dismiss current boss Noel Hunt following a disappointing start to the season.
The Royals are struggling in League One after five matches having won just one of their games which leaves them in the relegation zone.
Some sections of the fanbase are already starting to lose patience under Hunt having expected the team to challenge in the top half of the table after they narrowly missed out on a play-off place last season.
According to FootballLeagueWorld, Reading are keen on appointing Ainsworth if they choose to relieve Hunt of his duties.
Ainsworth has strong ties to Reading having managed Wycombe Wanderers under the ownership of Rob Couhig, who now owns the Royals.
Reading CEO Joe Jacobson, who joined the club in the summer, was also the club captain at Wycombe under Ainsworth’s management.
Ainsworth also resides locally to Reading and has previously played for local sides Woodley United and Finchampstead FC.
However, Hunt signed a three-year deal with Reading when he was appointed as Ruben Selles’ replacement in December 2024 which means that the club would have to pay off him and his staff if they were to terminate his contract.
Meanwhile, Ainsworth has made a fantastic start to life at League Two Gillingham having joined the club in March 2025.
His team are flying and sit in second place after eight matches as the only unbeaten side in the entire division with five wins and three draws.
The 52-year-old has a wealth of experience in the EFL having also managed Queens Park Rangers and Shrewsbury town either side of his decade-long stint with Wycombe.
Ainsworth managed 550 games at Wycombe, which included a promotion to the Championship after his team won the League One play-offs in 2020.
He then had a troubling spell as QPR boss which lasted less than eight months as he lost 19 of his 28 league matches.
A short spell with Shrewsbury was then followed by him joining Gillingham earlier this year.
