Gary Naysmith is set to take the reins at Ayr United, but only after he finishes what he started with Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Championship play-offs. The former Scotland full-back, 47, has agreed a three-year deal to join the full-time Championship side, bringing his assistant Brown Ferguson along with him.

Naysmith has been turning heads in Scottish football this season, guiding part-time Stenhousemuir to their highest-ever league finish—second place behind Inverness Caledonian Thistle. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their semi-final against Queen of the South, the Warriors are still in with a shot at promotion. Should they advance on Saturday, they'll face either Airdrieonians or Alloa Athletic in the final.

Ayr United chairman David Smith praised Naysmith's track record of outperforming budgets, calling it "clear not only from their time at Stenhousemuir but also in their previous roles at a variety of clubs in Scotland." Smith added, "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."

Ayr had been searching for a new manager since former Scotland midfielder Scott Brown stepped down in March, following a nine-game winless run that saw the club slip to seventh place. Naysmith, who played for Hearts, Everton, Sheffield United, and Huddersfield Town, began his managerial career at East Fife before stints with Queen of the South and Edinburgh City. Since taking over at Stenhousemuir in 2023, he's led them to their first-ever league title and back-to-back promotion play-off campaigns.

This season, Stenhousemuir pushed for the League 1 title until the final day, earning Naysmith a nomination for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award. Stenhousemuir chairman Dan Wharton summed it up: "He came in, transformed what was possible here, achieved promotion success and leaves the club in its highest-ever league position."

For Ayr United, this appointment signals a fresh start—and a clear ambition to build on Naysmith's proven ability to get results. All eyes are now on Saturday's second leg to see if he can deliver one more memorable moment before moving on.