Brown and Whittaker take over at Ayr United
Ayr United have appointed Scott Brown as their new head coach on a contract until 2026.
The former Celtic and Scotland captain, who won 23 major honours at Parkhead, was announced as the new boss ahead of last night’s 2-0 victory against Arbroath in the cinch Championship.
Brown will be joined in the Somerset Park dugout by assistant coach Steven Whittaker, his former Hibs teamand mate, who held the same position during Brown's 16 months in charge of Fleetwood United.
The pair left Fleetwood in September after a disappointing start to the EFL League One season, having finished in 13th place in Brown’s one full campaign.
Ayr United chairman Davis Smith told the club’s website: “I am delighted to welcome Scott and Steven as the new management team. We have had a busy eight days conducting informal conversations and more formal interviews with a number of very credible candidates
Scott and Steven showed lots of positive attributes that made them the preferred candidates for the club.
“They are clear in the messages they want to communicate to the players and will use the staff group that we have assembled to the fullest in
order to improve players and achieve performances and results on the pitch.
“They have a very good personal and working relationship and were very clear on how their dynamic works.
"We are delighted to secure their services and are very much looking forward to working with them.”
Graeme Mathie, Ayr managing director, added: “I’m really looking forward to working with Scott and Steven.
"Having both played at the very highest level they are both aware of the standards required to be successful, and - whilst we won’t be able to provide the luxury of some of the resources they’ve enjoyed previously - they have shown an ability to adapt to the environments they have been working in when required.
"This is an exciting appointment for Ayr United.”
Brown and Whittaker looked on from the stand last night as Ayr moved up to seventh, five points clear of bottom club Arbroath. Ben Dempsey and Logan Chalmers scored second-half goals in the 2-0 win.