A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Ainsworth the Chairboy chief is a stayer because he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty on and off the pitch
EXCLUSIVE BY IAN BAKER
GARETH AINSWORTH reckons being a handyman is key to his longevity at Wycombe.
The Chairboys chief celebrated nine years in permanent charge at Adams Park this week.
He is the second longest serving manager in England but not afraid to get his hands dirty.
And that includes mending goal nets, repairing the team bus and even cooking breakfast for his players.
Ainsworth said: “My best weapon as a manager is talking. I believe I’m a good communicator and I can adapt to situations.
“You have to look for different ways to get around a problem. I’ve seen some managers where it is either their way or nothing and that’s where they have come up short.
“People have different issues in your life. You can’t be selfish, you need to adapt. I’ve done the work of a handyman and a groundsman at this club. Why should I throw my toys out of the pram when I can just do the job and crack on?
“I’ve sorted out problems for cleaners and chefs. I’m a positive guy and will help anyone, even the owners.
I’m very lucky I wake up each day wanting to do that. I enjoy my life.
“I jump-started the coach at Blackpool on an away trip once, there were fans involved and our driver. The driver had to get in the cabin and I put the jump leads on.
“It was mayhem but I got my bag and got the bus going.
“It was also snowing once at the training ground. You don’t get in if it snows but some of the players did.
“The chef didn’t get in so me and David Wates, the sports scientist, cooked breakfast for the boys of scrambled eggs. It was the right thing to do, it stopped everyone being hungry.”
Wycombe were starved of money for a number of years but have had backing from American owners the Couhig Family and are hunting an immediate return to the Championship.
Ahead of today’s home clash with Portsmouth, former QPR and Wimbledon winger Ainsworth added: “I’ll give everything for this club. But I’m glad to say my new problem is the football side, as the owners have now given me everything I wanted.
“I’m so grateful they have come in and helped me be even better. This club has propelled itself into a zone that people will not believe.
“Now it is all about results and challenging for the Championship. That will keep me in a job rather than doing all those jobs that we now have people to do.
“It’s nice to pinch yourself, but we will never rest on our laurels. I want this club in the Championship, I played there, managed there and I want that again.”