Ainsworth’s decision to leave Shrewsbury came to the club’s “shock and dismay” chairman Roland Wycherley said in an open letter to supporters.
Wycherley confirmed a League Two club had agreed to pay the termination fee for Ainsworth and Dobson and that the club had done “everything in its power to persuade Gareth to stay”.
“I’m writing this open letter because I understand there is a lot of anger, worry and concern among supporters,” Wycherley said., external
“As you will be aware from media reports this morning – and much to our shock and dismay – Gareth Ainsworth has informed us he wishes to leave the club after receiving an offer from a League Two club.”
Wycherley said Ainsworth had been offered a two-year contract extension in the past few weeks.
“Gareth seemed pleased we made that offer and everyone was looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” he said.
The club attempted to keep Ainsworth until the end of the season but the ex-Wycombe boss “made it clear he wanted to leave immediately, despite acknowledging the position the club are in at this moment in time”, Wycherley added.
