AYR United interim boss John Rankin says he "would love" to take the role on full-time.
The former Hamilton Accies manager has been in the Somerset hotseat since Scott Brown departed the club last month.
Following his latest match in charge, a 2-1 defeat to Airdrieonians on Saturday, the 42-year-old admitted he wants to remain with the Scottish Championship club next season.
“I’ve really enjoyed myself at the club," he told Ayr United TV. "I’ve really loved at working with the people within it.
“Everyone around the place has been brilliant, the players have been great, they’ve taken on everything I’ve asked them to do.
“I’d love it. I love working with the players, I love the infrastructure of the club, I love the vision for the club.
“It’s a good club, good people, a good fanbase – being part of the process has been a pleasure to me. Of course I would want it, it’s not my decision though.”
Rankin felt there were positives to take despite the defeat against Airdrieonians on Saturday.
Leon King had the Honest Men ahead at the break but second half goals from Robbie Mahon and Charlie McArthur saw the fixture flipped on its head.
“For 45 minutes I actually thought we were really good," Rankin said. "I thought we played some really good football, we created some really good chances and we actually forced Airdrie into a change of shape.
“We got the goal at the right time. After that, again we played some really good football, we weren’t ruthless enough to get the second goal
“That allowed Airdrie back into the game, they came out second half trying to get back into the game because we know the score elsewhere.
“Ultimately, we concede two goals – again – from the second phase of a set play.”
The result, coupled with a 4-0 win for Ross County against Morton, has dragged the Greenock side into a relegation scrap with both Airdrieonians and County.
While United have nothing left to play for themselves, Rankin said that does not make results "meaningless".
He added: “You look at it, we played some really good football in the first half, but we weren’t clinical enough or aggressive enough.
“That’s been the story of our season, for all the hard work and endeavour in the second half – we need to be more aggressive in our own box.
“I don’t think there is any game meaningless, there are points to be played for, there is professional pride there are contracts.
“When you look at their work rate and everything they put into the game, you could see it wasn’t meaningless to them.”
Ayr will play their final game of the season at home to champions St Johnstone on Friday, May 1, with kick off at 7.45pm.
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