Scott Brown has departed Ayr United, with the club announcing he has stood down as manager “by mutual consent”. The former Celtic and Scotland midfielder exits Somerset Park along with assistant Steven Whittaker.
Ayr’s Recent Struggles
Brown’s departure follows a run of nine games without a victory for Ayr United. Their most recent defeat was a 3-0 loss against Raith Rovers. The loss meant their hosts leapfrogged Brown’s side into fifth.
Ayr have slipped to sixth in Scotland’s second tier. They have dropped out of the promotion play-off places and trail five points behind fourth-placed Dunfermline Athletic. Dunfermline Athletic also have a game in hand.
Brown’s Time at Ayr United
Brown took charge of Ayr in January 2024. He lifted them clear of relegation trouble before a third-place finish in his first full season in charge. However, the momentum has shifted in the opposite direction in recent weeks.
Brown’s Previous Roles
Having started his coaching career as player-coach with Aberdeen after leaving Celtic, Brown had a spell in charge of Fleetwood Town. After a 13th-place finish in his first season with the League One club, he was sacked in September 2023 after a poor start to his second campaign.
Ayr United’s Interim Arrangements
Veteran winger Jamie Murphy, along with first-team coach Tommy Tait and goalkeeper coach Dave Timmins, have taken Ayr training. The club have stated there will be “further communication regarding an interim position in due course”.