Exclusive: What Sky Sports pundit has said on Gareth Ainsworth's Gillingham future amid Reading FC link | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman spoke exclusively to Football League World on Gareth Ainsworth's Gillingham future amid links to Reading

Gillingham have embarked upon a formidable unbeaten start to the 2025/26 League One campaign, with Gareth Ainsworth's promotion-chasing side resting at the top of the table after nine matches.

Remarkably, the Gills are yet to suffer a league defeat under Ainsworth's stewardship, which began at the end of March after the former Wycombe Wanderers and QPR boss left his post at then-League One outfit Shrewsbury Town in order to move to the Priestfield Stadium.

Gillingham finished 17th at the end of the previous campaign but are poised for a much higher finish this time around, with the Kent-based outfit emerging as clear promotion contenders following a strong start to the season.

Saturday afternoon's 3-1 victory at lowly Newport County took Gillingham to top spot, and while the likes of Salford City, Walsall and Swindon Town are breathing down their necks in what promises to be yet another frantic and intense promotion battle this term, they remain the only unbeaten side in League Two and are showing no signs of letting up just yet.

It's perhaps little surprise, then, that Ainsworth is already being courted for a potential move elsewhere.

Just last week, Football League World exclusively revealed that Ainsworth is on the managerial radar of League One Reading if they decide to dispense Noel Hunt, with the 52-year-old admired by both owner Rob Couhig and CEO Joe Jacobson after working fruitfully with the pair for an extended period of time at Wycombe.

Ainsworth himself has dismissed talk of a potential move to Reading, but his links to Couhig and Jacobson mean that an approach from the Royals cannot be ruled out.

Reading narrowly missed out on a play-off finish last season but have struggled considerably in the early stages of 2025/26 and find themselves just one point above the third-tier relegation zone.

Although Hunt's side did return to winning ways against Leyton Orient on the weekend, the Irishman's place at the helm likely remains far from secure and Ainsworth could soon emerge as a target for both the Royals and any other League One sides who elect to make a change in the dugout in the weeks to come.

Don Goodman urges Gillingham to retain Gareth Ainsworth amid Reading FC interest

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman outlined the importance of retaining Ainsworth at the Priestfield Stadium.

Goodman lauded Gillingham's "brilliant" early-season form, citing how Ainsworth has made his side tough to beat and break down. The Gills boast League Two's second-best defensive record, only letting in six goals from nine matches, and will be looking to maintain that imperious form in upcoming clashes against Harrogate Town, MK Dons and bottom-placed Cheltenham.

Ainsworth, meanwhile, is under contract until 2027, as per the terms penned for his move from Shrewsbury earlier this year.

"Yes, it's really, really important that Gillingham keep hold of Ainsworth," Goodman explained to Football League World.

"There's no doubt about it, what a brilliant start they've made to the season. They're on this long unbeaten run now that's continued from the end of last season.

"He's made them very, very hard to beat as he has done with all his teams in League Two and League One. But it's just a start really, and the focus for Ainsworth and Gillingham will be fending off some really good teams queuing up in behind them.

"For all that brilliant form, they are only three points clear of fourth-placed Swindon Town, so there's a long road and a battle ahead. But Ainsworth has worked his magic, has got them organised, hard to play against and top of the league."

Gareth Ainsworth has played down Reading links — but further Gillingham interest would be no surprise

Though Ainsworth has played down the prospect of joining Reading, that's not to say that a move categorically won't happen, with the admiration he has at boardroom level within the Select Car Leasing Stadium no secret.

It's simply a case of waiting to see what happens with Hunt's own future at Reading and the knock-on effect that could have with Ainsworth.

But, if Reading were to relieve Hunt of his duties and look away from Ainsworth, it would still come as little surprise if the Gillingham boss was to attract interest from other clubs, with his unbeaten body of work in Kent sure to earn admirers in the coming weeks and months.