New Manager ??

[shinglis]

So interviews this week and continued progress, any rumors of who's on the short list ?

[ghostofjimmysmith]

Kind of lost the thread of the thread on P + B but the latest suggestions/rumours are George Burley and Kenny Shiels - think the last one is a wind up.

By LC's comments in the post last week it looks like Martin Canning most in line with what he is looking for. Personally hoping for some left field candidate (but no junior manager) rather than anyone who has been mentioned.

LC hired quite a few managers only got it even "kind of right" twice in McCall and Reid and both got us relegated at least once.

Really can't think of a time when the Ayr United managers job has been this attractive.

[MonkeyHeid]

but the latest suggestions/rumours are George Burley and Kenny Shiels - think the last one is a wind up.

OMG! I hope both are a wind up.

[weejoe]

The last home game against the Highlanders, McIntyre, Hanning and Lee McCulloch were at the game.  Hope it is none of them.

I would be happy for Sandy to continue to the end of the season and then take it from there.

[Halfwayline]

Agree with Weejoe - Sandy for some continuity, and see where we are at end of season. No other quoted candidates give me much to get excited about.

[weejoe]

So according to The Daily Record, Darren Young and Paul Sherrin are in for the manager's job.

So including them two, McIntyre and Canning, my preference is still for Sandy Stewart.  A good performance and victory on Saturday should be enough to seal the deal.

[real deal]

Don't know how much to read into it but someone leaked out McIntyre/Kerr,not sure it's very reliable

[real deal]

Nonsense I think

[MonkeyHeid]

Find out tomorrow 

Got to love Lachlan for tweet updates.

Lachlan Cameron @lachlancameron
Unfortunately I have to fly back to Los Angeles today due to a prior engagement and will miss the game. However, interviews are all done and the manager will be confirmed at Monday's board meeting and assuming the two parties can come to an agreement, will be announced Tuesday.

[real deal]

Won't be long until we find out,whoever it is guaranteed it won't please Everyone

[shinglis]

Mark Kerr - On an 18-month deal.

[Ian Boswell]

Verdict to be withheld until we see how things go. Let's wish Mark Kerr well and the very best of luck in his new managerial post. I wonder if he will still play.

[Bigmac]

Not 100% certain but I'm hearing that Sandy Stewart is away.

[weejoe]

Mark Kerr 18 month contract and heard Peter Houston will be his assistant, not too sure if any truth in that.

Like the guys say, I also wish Mark all the best and hope he can bring successes. Although I do feel a little under whelmed by this appointment, but glad it is not one of the journey men, who keep getting new jobs despite the mess at their last post.

So onwards and upwards.

[JohnnyDoyle7]

Stability is key here. The team is in a position unlike most times when a new manager comes in and you want them to shake things up. Mark Kerr knows the players, they like and respect him and I get the feeling he has had a huge influence on how we play. Good luck to him.

[Big D]

I'm happy enough with Mark Kerr.
Onwards and upwards "Come On Ayr"

[shuggie sproat]

My goodness,did not expect that announcement,but it might just work if he has a seasoned veteran assisting him ala Sandy Stewart or as mentioned Peter Houston.Excellent player in my view and when he plays Ayr really click.

Big gamble by our chairman and board though.

[Ayr Apparent]

My goodness,did not expect that announcement,but it might just work if he has a seasoned veteran assisting him ala Sandy Stewart or as mentioned Peter Houston.Excellent player in my view and when he plays Ayr really click.

Big gamble by our chairman and board though.

Does this Chairman and Board never learn from their mistakes ?

Gambling is forbidden ! Lachlan will remember well what happened to Michael Moffat. Disgraceful, if that's what they are doing.

Seriously though, congratulations to Mark Kerr and best wishes for his management career.

[Merseysuperayr]

Posted message when Ian McCall left, and mentioned I had reservations about Mark Kerr being part of the interim management team but stressed reservations were only in respect of a potential detrimental impact on him as a player as he has been a standout performer. The whole situation now changed with him securing the top job ; I think there are real positives in his appointment , he is a well respected professional with undoubted connections throughout Scottish football, he is a classy player and clearly relishes playing an attractive pass and move style of play and has been pivotal in the successes enjoyed in recent times. I am confident, even more so now having listened to his interview with Ayr Media, that he will look to continue with the same approach and style of football , he will have the backing of the dressing room and hopefully be influential in having key players consider extending contracts and will continue to support our younger players providing a real opportunity for them to develop their skills and flourish in first team. Absolutely key to recent success has been our ability to attract young players with real potential; our club is seen by Premiership Teams as a place where their talented youngsters will be properly looked after, well coached and given opportunity to gain match experience, I don't see that changing under Kerr , he offers 'continuity' and  a real commitment to carrying on a winning formula. This is a forward thinking positive appointment; coming back to my initial point/ reservation on Kerr being both a player and now Manager,I would prefer he hang up his boots and concentrate on managing the Team , I would expect that he may do so in January ; I see the need for him to continue playing until then. Lets get right behind Mark Kerr, he will need and deserves our full support!

[ghostofjimmysmith]

My initial thoughts were why we went through the whole process if we were going to end up with a player being appointed. However having considered it we advertised the job and interviewed six candidates and the one who convinced LC that he was the best fit was Mark Kerr. Same result as when Reid left but I think a more considered and robust process has been followed to appoint Kerr than was taken for Roberts.

Rather have Kerr or had Stewart than some of the failed at everywhere else names linked to the job.