Ex-Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has been linked to the soon-to-be vacant role at Chelsea Women.

The 50-year-old is currently without a club following his departure from Queens Park Rangers in October after just eight months in the job.

He is currently taking a break from football management and has decided to focus on his music career, but a return to the dugout is not off the cards.

And if Ainsworth were to land the gig with Chelsea, he will replace Emma Hayes who has agreed to take over as the boss of the United States of America Women’s National Team.

She will officially start her post in the summer after the conclusion of the 2023/24 Super League season.

Other names that have been touted for the Chelsea job include Aston Villa Women manager Carla Ward, ex-Arsenal, Liverpool and Charlton Athletic player, and current San Diego Wave coach Casey Stoney, OL Reign boss Laura Harvey and Amandine Miquel, who is currently in charge of Remis.

Hayes has been in charge of Chelsea since 2012 and has won 15 honours in that time which includes six league championships, five FA Cups, two League Cups, one community shield and one Spring Series trophy.

She has also incredibly won 242 of her 342 matches in charge of the Blues.

Ainsworth, who managed 550 Wycombe games between 2012 and 2023, is honing his guitar skills and recently performed at a gig in Bracknell just before Christmas.

He also went on tour in Norway during the autumn with his band, 'Cold Blooded Hearts', following the release of their debut album.