Lee Clark took over as manager of Kilmarnock in February 2016 following the departure of Gary Locke

Lee Clark has left Kilmarnock to become boss at League One side Bury, after they agreed a compensation package with the Scottish Premiership side.

The 44-year-old had been in charge at Rugby Park since February 2016, when he replaced Gary Locke.

He kept Killie in the Premiership last season and leaves them in sixth place.

Chris Brass, 41, had been announced in December as head coach at Bury until the end of the season after David Flitcroft was fired.

"Lee is someone who I have followed through his playing and managerial career," said Shakers chairman Stewart Day.

"I firmly believe that Lee is the right man and he has an enthusiasm and passionate desire to take this club forward. I was overwhelmed with his knowledge of the club and the contacts he has in the game and how he believes in what we can achieve together."

Former Huddersfield, Birmingham and Blackpool boss Clark takes charge of a Bury side sat in the relegation zone in the third tier and will be on the sidelines for the game against Chesterfield on Saturday.

Assistant Lee McCulloch will become interim manager of Kilmarnock, with Peter Leven as his No.2. McCulloch is likely to be offered the position until the end of the season.

Premier League ambition

Clark, a former midfielder at Newcastle, Fulham and Sunderland, won 10 of his 44 games in charge at Kilmarnock.

"I have had a wonderful year as Kilmarnock manager," he told the club website. external-link "The club and fans have treated myself and my family fantastically - we are in a good position with a strong and loyal squad and staff.

"The directors have given me their full support in rebuilding the squad and the fans will always have a special place in my heart, but I still have huge ambition to one day manage at the highest level in England, which is obviously the Premier League.

"I feel that the fresh challenge of managing a club in England's League One could provide me with the platform to build towards this goal."