May and Pressley to lead Falkirk

EDDIE May is expected to be named the new manager of Falkirk later this week with Steven Pressley as his assistant.

Currently head of the club's highly regarded youth academy, May's application to succeed John Hughes as manager has received strong support from the Falkirk board of directors.

The 41-year-old former Hibs, Falkirk and Motherwell midfielder is in advanced negotiations over his change of role and should be formally appointed before the weekend.

It is understood Pressley, who called time on his playing career at the end of the season, had initially hoped to become manager at Falkirk.

But the 35-year-old Scotland coach, who joined Falkirk in January this year as a player under Hughes, is ready to become May's right hand man in the new managerial set-up.

Pressley is currently in Sweden at the European under-21 Championships as he works toward his Uefa Pro Licence coaching certificate.

The news of the imminent appointment of May and Pressley comes as a bitter disappointment to Falkirk's veteran former Old Firm duo of Jackie McNamara and Neil McCann. The pair immediately declared their interest in taking charge when Hughes left to become the new Hibs manager last week.

Despite Hughes recommending them to the Falkirk board, however, it is believed McNamara and McCann were not even granted an interview.

Former Celtic and Wales striker John Hartson, Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm and former Dundee manager Alex Rae were among other potential candidates who either expressed an interest in the post or were considered by the Falkirk board.

"Negotiations are ongoing in the appointment of the new Falkirk manager," said a club statement yesterday.

"We hope to be in a position by the end of this week to announce the appointment of the new manager. The club have taken their time in making this appointment and will not be rushed into a decision.

"The club will only announce the appointment once all appropriate negotiations have been confirmed."

May began his career at Dundee United but failed to make a first team breakthrough at Tannadice. He joined Hibs in 1985 and made over 100 appearances for the Easter Road club before moving on to Brentford in 1989.

He returned to Scotland two years later to begin his association with Falkirk, making almost 200 appearances before joining Motherwell in 1995. May signed for Dunfermline in 1999 and after subsequent spells with Airdrie, Berwick Rangers and Australian side Western Suburbs, he rejoined Falkirk under Hughes in 2003.

He was appointed head of youth development at the club the following year and has been credited with a major role in the development of players such as current captain Darren Barr and Scotland under-21 internationals Scott Arfield and Thomas Scobbie.