Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has ignited rumours linking him to League One promotion rivals Lincoln City by emphasising his desire to manage in the Championship.
Ainsworth's name has been attached to the vacancy at Sincil Bank following the departures of Danny Cowley and his brother Nicky to join Championship club Huddersfield Town.
Ainsworth suggested, “If somebody did come knocking, I'm sure that the Wycombe fans would understand that's it's decision time”.
Speaking to The Totally Football League Show, Ainsworth revealed:
“I'm ambitious. I want a club that has ambitions to play in the Championship, to be as high as they possibly can. I know Lincoln City have got that ambition. What the Cowleys have built in their time there – it's just awesome.
“I'm open to everything. Wycombe have this potential. I'm really hoping that the fans understand that, unfortunately, money is needed in football and to progress, especially to the next level. It's going to take some serious investment”.
Ainsworth's stock is high with Wycombe top of the League One table unbeaten in the opening six weeks of the season.
There is a sense Ainsworth is punching above his weight with the squad at his disposal and wants to invest in his team.
“We have people willing to put their money in. The fans love owning their own club and I understand that as well. But the ambition for me is to get into the Championship one way or the other”.
The Cowley's departed having guided The Imps to two promotions, taking the club from the National League to the third tier of English football.
Lincoln's ambition is clearly attractive to Ainsworth who is keen to test himself at a higher level.
However, Ainsworth did stress his wish to achieve this goal with Wycombe for as long as possible.
“My immediate future, I'm okay. I'm happy at Wycombe. But I just have this burning desire to to manage and test myself at higher levels”.
“I know that there's plenty of interest and rumours and I think Wycombe would be open to letting me have a chat with people. They know that I want to manage higher if they can get it going at Wycombe it would be fantastic because the culture's there”.
