EFL boss leaves during club’s pre-season to watch England beat Mexico in Azteca

Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth was among the lucky England fans inside the Azteca for the Three Lions’ epic win over Mexico.

As millions of people back home stayed up into the early hours of Monday morning to watch 10-man England beat the World Cup co-hosts 3-2, Ainsworth took his seat at the iconic stadium.

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Ainsworth was one of around 3,000 England supporters with tickets to see their side defy the odds in a sodden Mexico City to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Thomas Tuchel‘s Three Lions played most of the second half with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off, but they triumphed thanks to Jude Bellingham‘s quickfire first-half brace and Harry Kane‘s ultimately decisive second-half penalty.

That drama all came after kick-off in the Mexican capital was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms in the area, with Ainsworth pictured wearing what appeared to be a much-needed waterproof jacket.

Ainsworth was also snapped outside the Azteca with a fan holding a Queens Park Rangers flag.

The former midfielder made more appearances for QPR than any other club and later went on to manage them.

He made the trip to Mexico just over a week before Gillingham are due to play their first pre-season friendly against Dover Athletic.

Gills players appear to have returned to their training ground last Friday (July 3) with Ainsworth seen in a video posted on social media.

Ainsworth has been in charge of the League Two club since March 2025 when he replaced interim boss John Coleman.

The 53-year-old is perhaps best-known for his time at Wycombe Wanderers, where he initially served as player-manager.

In charge for more than a decade at Adams Park, Ainsworth led Wycombe to automatic promotion from League Two in the 2017/18 season.

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He then took the Chairboys to the highest level in their history, reaching the Championship by winning the 2019/20 League Two play-offs.

Ainsworth then went on to have short spells at the helm of QPR and Shrewsbury Town before taking the Gillingham job.

After a promising start, his Gills team slumped to a 17th-placed finish in League Two last term.

However, Ainsworth insisted back in March that he wouldn’t be judged until the start of next season.

Ainsworth and England continue their preparations

While Ainsworth has a new campaign to prepare for, England are gearing up for their third straight quarter-final.

Next up for the Three Lions is a tough-looking encounter with Erling Haaland‘s Norway in Miami this Saturday.

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That being said, the Vikings reportedly have concerns over a sickness bug inside the camp following their 2-1 last-16 victory against Brazil – in which Haaland bagged a brace.

If they win that game, England will take on either holders Argentina or Egypt in the semi-finals.