Former Hearts star replaces former Hibs ace at SPFL club as award-nominated job earns manager reward
The former Hearts star also featured for the likes of Everton and Sheffield United.
Ayr United have replaced a former Hibs star with a 1998 Scottish Cup-winning Hearts hero.
John Rankin was the interim gaffer at the Scottish Championship side after another former Hibee in Scott Brown was sacked. The ex-Hibs midfielder has moved on and in his place comes Gary Naysmith after an outstanding tenure with Stenhousemuir. Naysmith won the cup with Hearts before featuring at Everton, Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Aberdeen and East Fife alongside Scotland duty as a player.
The former Jambo, Everton and Sheffield United man was appointed Stenny boss in 2023 and he has lifted them from the bottom reaches of League Two to back-to-back Championship play-off campaigns. Part-time Stenhousemuir were in the League One title race until the final day and now Ayr offer Naysmith a chance to step back into full-time football.
Who have Ayr United appointed as manager?
A Stenhousemuir statement reads: “Stenhousemuir Football Club can confirm that manager Gary Naysmith has accepted the position of Manager at Ayr United on a three-year contract, commencing upon the conclusion of the William Hill Championship Play-offs. Assistant manager Brown Ferguson will also depart to join Gary at Somerset Park.
“Gary joined Stenhousemuir in January 2023 and, in just over three years, led the club to its first ever league title, the cinch League Two championship in 2023–24, as well as back-to-back Championship Play-off campaigns. He departs having taken charge of 160 competitive matches, racking up 73 wins, and leaves the club in the strongest position in its history.
“His contribution to this club has been recognised with multiple Manager of the Month awards and his peers, having been nominated this year for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award. Gary has asked that, for now, the focus remains firmly on the job in hand. Upon the conclusion of the Play-offs, the club will take the opportunity to thank Gary and Brown for everything they have achieved together here at Ochilview.”
Why have Ayr United appointed Gary Naysmith as manager?
Chairman Dan Wharton added: “Gary has been a fantastic asset to this football club. He came in, transformed what was possible here, achieved promotion success and leaves the club in its highest ever league position. We are grateful for everything Gary and Brown have done and wish them well. Thank you to David Smith at all at Ayr United for their professionalism and we wish them all the success.”
Ayr chairman David Smith explained: “Once again we conducted a robust process to appoint the next permanent Manager of Ayr United and we are delighted that Gary and Brown have agreed to join us. Their ability to outperform budget is clear not only from their time at Stenhousemuir but also in their previous roles at a variety of clubs in Scotland.
“What became clear through the interview process was Gary’s enthusiasm to be involved with Ayr United and the skillset he has to take our club forward. We are looking forward to working with him and to introduce him to supporters at the end of Stenny’s season. Thank you to Dan Wharton and all at Stenhousemuir for their professionalism and we wish them every success for their playoff campaign.”