Gareth Ainsworth says his whirlwind 48-hour trip to Mexico was one of the greatest football experiences of his life – and worth missing a day’s training for.
The Gillingham boss headed across the Atlantic for England’s thrilling 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium before racing back to Kent in time to take training on Tuesday morning.
“Just over 48 hours in Mexico, one hell of a trip, it was incredible,” said Ainsworth.
“I landed Saturday morning and took off home on Monday morning, I only missed one day of training, which was fantastic, one full day and when I said it to [owner] Brad [Galinson] and [managing director] Joe Comper they said ‘You have to go’ and what an experience.
“Brad’s been over there [at the World Cup] wearing the Gillingham shirt for a few games in the New York arenas but for me to be able to go to the Azteca with the history of Brazil and Pele in 1970, then in 1986 with the hand of God and Maradona, to then go to see England beat the Mexicans in the back garden of Mexico, the Azteca, was unbelievable.
“I cannot do the experience justice with words, I honestly can’t, the feelings and the moments there will live with me forever.
“It’s my first ever World Cup game, which is astonishing, I’ve done the Euros before but I had never done a World Cup game, and being honest, I might never do a World Cup game again because I don’t know if I’ll ever top the Azteca and such a phenomenal game.”
Rather than enjoying the match from the comfort of a hospitality seat, Ainsworth threw himself into the heart of England’s travelling support.
He said: “I was a fan, I was singing with the fans at the end, there was no corporate, there was no media for me, it was right in amongst the England fans and I truly became an England fan, I am an England fan and I thought we were absolutely brilliant.
“Singing Wonderwall with the 3,000 at the end to the England players in front of 80,000 Mexican fans was really special and the Mexicans really embraced us, I have to say, what a brilliant country to have a whistle-stop tour in.”
Back in Kent, it was straight back to work.
“I came in Tuesday morning to take training, I didn’t know what day it was, what time it was, but all I knew is that I’d had a hell of an experience,” he said.
“To miss one day’s full training, I think the lads will give me that one just to go to the Azteca to see England perform like that.”
England had just 33 per cent possession but still came away with a famous victory – something Ainsworth believes proves there is more to football than dominating the ball.
“Possession can definitely do one!” he said.
“I think there’s a lot put on possession sometimes when you get a performance like that, people are talking about the greatest England away performance for 50 years, it was just phenomenal to be there, and that’s really how you do it sometimes.
“I thought [England manager] Thomas Tuchel was absolutely outstanding and I was just so behind him.
“I’ve shared some of the emotions he’s been through, probably not at the intense level that he’s at, but until you stand on that touchline as a football manager, it’s difficult to explain, but what a great win. I’m hoping we can go on and on in this tournament because I think the team has got stronger.”
Ainsworth even found plenty of Football League representation among England’s travelling support – although he missed out on seeing any Gillingham fans.
He said: “There was Wycombe, QPR and Port Vale – the only team missing was Gillingham, but a few of the fans were saying ‘Oh, my mate’s a Gillingham fan, can I have a selfie and send it to him?’ It was brilliant.
“And actually our academy manager Bryan Bull was over there as well, and I bumped into him, so there was a couple of Gillingham people over there.
“I was a very proud Gillingham fan over there as well as an England fan.
“It was brilliant, and I think it raised a few eyebrows thinking there’s actual Gillingham managers in with the England fans. I couldn’t have been in a better place for that 90 minutes, it was brilliant.”
As for whether he’ll be making another transatlantic trip if England reach the final, Ainsworth is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
He joked: “If Thomas wants me to come over and be a lucky charm in the final, then he knows where I am, but we’re playing Charlton and Millwall [in pre-season] so I might have to stick around for that – but I’m sure England can do without me!”
England’s World Cup journey continues this Saturday with a quarter-final tie against Norway at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The Gills, meanwhile, continue with their pre-season preparations and squad rebuild.
Ainsworth is still looking to strengthen after signing seven players so far.
He said: “There’s still, I’d say, two, three, four more to come.
“I think there’s still some spaces to be filled, the squad’s still not as full as I’d want it to be for that first game.”
