Ayr United are on the hunt for a new manager as former Crystal Palace and Morton man David Hopkin departs the club.
The Honest Men were beaten 2-0 by Raith Rovers in the Scottish Championship midweek and fans voiced their displeasure, chanting for a change in management. Now Hopkin – a hero at Crystal Palace and previously manager of Morton and Livingston – has resigned from his post.
His team have started the season with three losses and one draw this term. First-team coach Jim Duffy, assistant boss Dave Timmins and goalkeeping coach Derek Stillie are still at the Somerset Park club. Hopkin only arrived in March 2021 but his tenure at Ayr looks set to come to a swift conclusion.
He initially said when appointed as manager of Ayr United: “This isn’t going to be a short-term fix – the board are looking for someone to come in and build something over the next three, four or five years.”
Hopkin enjoyed a fine playing career south of the border, featuring most prominently with Bradford City and Crystal Palace. He guided Livingston to the Premiership in 2018 but his return to Bradford as manager lasted just 35 games before an 19-month stretch as Morton boss ended in December 2020.
The 51-year-old had taken over from player-manager Mark Kerr earlier this year but his long-term ambition has collapsed just shy of six months in charge. Ayr face Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday as both teams go searching for their first Championship wins of the season, both currently joint-bottom.
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