Ayr United: Lee Bullen exits as head coach as struggling club condemn abuse of 52-year-old
- Published
Lee Bullen is left pondering his future after two years in charge of Ayr
Ayr United have condemned "abuse both online and in stadiums over recent weeks" directed at Lee Bullen as they parted company with their head coach.
They and Arbroath occupy the bottom two places after Saturday's 0-0 draw at Gayfield Park and Queen's Park's surprise win over leaders Raith Rovers.
Former Sheffield Wednesday caretaker Bullen took charge in January 2022.
Ayr chairman David Smith said the decision to part with the 52-year-old came "with real regret".
Pointing to the behaviour of some fans, he told his club website: "Nobody deserves any form of abuse, it is never justifiable and we urge supporters to challenge this type of behaviour whenever they see or hear it."
Former Dunfermline Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday and Falkirk utility player Bullen had three spells as caretaker with the English club before taking charge at Somerset Park.
He steered Ayr clear of relegation in his first six months in charge and led them to second place last season.
However, they suffered a crushing 8-0 aggregate defeat by Partick Thistle in the promotion play-offs and, although they topped their League Cup group in a four-game unbeaten start to the season, Ayr have now won just once in 11 games in the second tier and needed extra time to defeat League 2 side Peterhead in the Scottish Cup.
"Despite having the obvious challenge of recruiting a new midfield given injuries at the start of the season, ultimately on-field results over a sustained period of time have not been good enough and it is with real regret that we have come to this decision," Smith said.
The Ayr chairman, though, added that "it is undeniable that the club is unrecognisable from the one Lee walked in to over two years ago and this is testament to his work throughout his time as head coach".
Smith said Bullen had consistently met the club targets - including "generating a significant player sale for the first time in many years" - while the relationship with the club's academy "has never been stronger".
Ayr, who have already started the search for a new team boss, next host third-tier Kelty Hearts in the cup fourth round on Saturday.