BURY’S new boss Lee Clark says he has ambition to one day manage in the Premier League and believes his switch to Gigg Lane is a step in the right direction.

The former Huddersfield, Birmingham and Blackpool manager yesterday left his post at Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock to replace head coach Chris Brass in the Shakers hotseat.

A statement released by Bury said the club had agreed a compensation package with Kilmarnock.

Chairman Stewart Day later told Bury Times he was in negotiations with the Ayrshire club to also bring Clark’s former number two Alan Thompson to Gigg Lane.

The former Bolton Wanderers and Celtic midfielder followed Clark to Kilmarnock last February after the pair had previously worked together at Birmingham City.

It is unclear whether the deal will be completed in time for Saturday’s crunch relegation clash at Chesterfield, when 45-year-old Clark will take charge for his first match after putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Victory would see Bury, who are 21st in League One, move seven points clear of second-bottom Chesterfield and put pressure on the teams just above the drop zone.

But while the Shakers are two points from safety, Clark has loftier goals than survival in mind.

“I still have a huge ambition to one day manage at the highest level in England,” said Clark in a statement released by Kilmarnock yesterday.

“That is obviously the Premier League, and 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.”

Bury’s results and form have improved under Brass since he replaced previous manager David Flitcroft in November.

After ending a run of 20 matches without a win with a 5-1 victory over Peterborough, they have since lost just one of their last six matches.

They beat fellow strugglers Swindon on Saturday and earned a 0-0 draw at home to MK Dons on Tuesday night.

Day’s decision to replace Brass and his assistant Ryan Kidd came out of the blue, but while he said the pair would still play an important role at the club, he felt Clark was the right man to take Bury forward.

The chairman cited Clark’s record at Huddersfield, when he took them to the League One play-off final, as well the job he has done taking Kilmarnock to sixth place in the Scottish Premiership.

“Lee is someone who I have followed through his playing and managerial career,” he said.

“He has played at the very highest level and managed at League One and in the Championship.

“I firmly believe 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, the contacts he has and how he believes in what we can achieve together.”