Former QPR head coach 'applies' for Scottish Premiership role

Ex-QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth has reportedly applied for the vacant manager position at Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian.

The 51-year-old ex-Hoops boss has been out of work since leaving Loftus Road last season, with Marti Cifuentes taking over, but it has now been reported by The Scotsman that he has put his name in contention to replace the recently sacked Steven Naismith.

It is said that the Tynecastle chiefs are compiling a shortlist for their new head coach this week, after a run of eight straight defeats saw Naismith dispatched from his role.

The Scotsman also note that Hearts are expected to use data from Brighton and Hove Albion’s owner Tony Bloom’s Starlizard algorithms to help them in their search for the ideal candidate. Bloom is also in talks over a potential £10 million investment in the Scottish club.

Ainsworth would bring a wealth of experience to the Edinburgh club, having made his managerial name during an 11 years stint at Wycombe Wanderers, leading them from League Two to the Championship on one of the lowest EFL budgets.

He then moved back to Loftus Road - where he had spent seven years as a player - but with all not well behind the scenes, his stay in W12 lasted just eight months. At the time of his appointment, the ex-Hoops and Preston North End star, who is also the frontman of rock band The Cold Blooded Hearts, spoke of wanting ‘big changes’ at the club and signing ‘pacy forward players’ who would fit into his ‘very up and at ‘em style of play’.

However, the attack-minded manager was dismissed following a 2-1 home loss against Leicester City which signalled the club’s sixth consecutive defeat.

Since being out of work, Ainsworth is reported to have turned down several jobs as he continues to wait for the right opportunity. Hearts are said to tick a lot of his boxes, especially with the added advantage that they can provide European group stage football.

It is now with the Tynecastle chiefs to see how the ‘flamboyant’ boss’ statistics rate against the club’s main requirements. While QPR prepare to travel up to Blackburn Rovers this weekend for their Championship clash, Hearts face Ross County in Edinburgh as they seek their first win of the 2024/25 Premiership campaign.