Lee Bullen leaves Sheffield Wednesday to become new Ayr United boss

Ayr United have appointed Lee Bullen as the club’s new manager, with the former Sheffield Wednesday player leaving his coaching position with the Owls to take charge at Somerset Park.

United have been searching for a new manager since parting company with Jim Duffy last month. Managing director Graeme Mathie and the board interviewed a number of candidates before settling on Bullen.

The 50-year-old Scot, who played for Dunfermline Athletic and Falkirk, is best known for his time at Wednesday, where he played in every position. He returned to the club as a coach and acted as interim manager on three occasions.

Bullen will now be tasked with lifting his new club up the Championship table, with Ayr United currently in seventh and playing league leaders Arbroath this weekend.

Mathie said on the club’s website: “In all our conversations with Lee, it became clear he had a great desire to be the first team head coach at Ayr United and be part of the journey we want to start as a club.

“He brings a variety of experiences from his time playing and coaching in a number of different countries, and he has taken on a variety of leadership roles throughout his career.

“We are all really looking forward to working with him and supporting him to deliver on field success here.”