Scott Brown’s time in management has hit another major setback after his departure from Ayr United was confirmed following a difficult run of results.
The former Celtic captain had been in charge for two years after taking over in January 2024, arriving with high expectations after his previous spell at Fleetwood Town.
A club statement confirmed that both Brown and his assistant Steven Whittaker have now left their roles.
“Ayr United confirms that Scott Brown and Steven Whittaker have left the club by mutual consent.
“The club wishes to thank them both for their dedication throughout their time at Ayr United and wish them every success for their future careers.
“Training today will be taken by Jamie Murphy, Tommy Tait, and Dave Timmins, and there will be further communication regarding an interim position in due course.”
Brown’s exit comes at a turning point in the season. After guiding Ayr to a strong third-place finish last year, hopes were high heading into this campaign. Instead, the club now finds itself sitting eighth in the table, just seven points clear of Ross County in the relegation play-off spot.
What makes the decision feel even more brutal is how tight the table remains. Ayr are only five points behind Dunfermline in fourth, meaning a late push was still very much possible. However, last Friday’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Raith Rovers appears to have been the final straw for the board.
It marks another tough chapter for Brown, who is still finding his feet in management after a decorated playing career. During his time at Celtic, he established himself as one of the club’s most successful captains, lifting 22 major honours including 10 league titles, six League Cups and six Scottish Cups.
After leaving Glasgow in 2021, he moved into a player coach role at Aberdeen under Stephen Glass before stepping fully into management with Fleetwood.
This latest development raises fresh questions about what comes next for Brown. For a figure so used to success on the pitch, the challenge now is finding the right opportunity to rebuild and prove himself in the dugout.
