Ayr United have appointed Gary Naysmith as their new manager, per Sky Sports. The former Scotland international will remain with Stenhousemuir until the conclusion of the Scottish Championship play-off campaign. Naysmith replaces Scott Brown, who departed the Somerset Park club earlier this year. Stenhousemuir finished the League One season in second place under his leadership, securing a play-off semi-final against Alloa Athletic.
Naysmith previously managed East Fife, Queen of the South, and Edinburgh City before joining Stenhousemuir in 2023. He led the Warriors to the League Two title during the 2023-24 season. According to STV News, the 47-year-old will oversee Stenhousemuir’s remaining fixtures before officially moving to South Ayrshire. Ayr United finished the current Championship season in seventh position. The club expects Naysmith to begin his new role ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. His backroom staff appointments remain unconfirmed, though he has worked closely with assistant Brown Ferguson at Ochilview Park during his successful three-year tenure.
