Ayr United sack Jim Duffy after less than three months in charge

Ayr United have sacked manager Jim Duffy and first-team coach John Joyce less than three months after they were appointed in charge.

The club are currently languishing near the bottom of the Championship and have not won a league game since mid-October.

Duffy and Joyce joined Ayr in March as part of former manager David Hopkin. They stepped up as manager and first-team coach respectively following Hopkin’s departure in September.

After a four-game unbeaten run as caretaker, Duffy was then appointed manager until the end of the season on October 1.

But results since then have been poor and the former Hibs and Dundee boss has now been informed his time at Somerset Park is over.

David White, head of the club’s academy, takes charge of the first-team on an interim basis, assisted by Tommy Tait and Thomas Donovan.

Ayr welcome Raith Rovers to Somerset Park on Boxing Day in their next Championship fixture.

In a statement, the club said: “Ayr United announces the departure of Jim Duffy and John Joyce from their respective positions of first team manager and first-team coach.

“Both Jim and John joined Ayr United in March alongside manager David Hopkin and stepped up when asked to take on additional responsibilities when David left in September.

“The directors would like to thank Jim and John for their efforts throughout their time at the club and wish them every success for the future.

“Davie White will take interim charge of all first-team matters, assisted by Tommy Tait and Thomas Donovan with Dave Timmins remaining on the coaching staff.

“The process of identifying a new head coach for Ayr United is underway.”