Steven Pressley and Alex Smith were installed as assistants to the head coach when May's appointment was confirmed by the club on Tuesday.

Former Rangers, Hearts, Celtic and Scotland defender Pressley hung up his playing boots at the end of last season after joining the Bairns in January and had expressed an interest in the manager's vacancy.

Instead, the 35-year-old was handed the position of number two to May and will not only bring his vast playing experience to the table but his expertise as assistant coach with the Scottish national team as
well.

However, while Pressley, currently sitting the Uefa pro licence, is embarking on his managerial career, he will still be on a level pegging with Smith.

The 69-year-old has also been an integral part of the Scotland set-up, which included managing the U18s and 21s, taking charge of the B squad in January 2007, and going on spying missions for head coach George Burley.

Smith previously won the Scottish Cup as manager of St Mirren and then Aberdeen and is currently the chairman of the Scottish Managers and Coaches Association, but has been out of the club game since leaving Ross County in 2005.

He was considered to be the ideal person to provide invaluable advice and guidance to both May and Pressley and was first approached by the new manager two weeks ago.

"It's fantastic to be involved with an SPL side again," said Smith. "It feels like the first day I got into management.

"Eddie suggested the possibility of this move a fortnight ago and asked if I would be willing to help out, and I was delighted at the prospect.

"My role will primarily be as a coach – to help with the development of the first team and to get results in the SPL.

"However, there is also the chance to assist in the development of the management team and guide Eddie and Steven through any stormy days and warn them of the pitfalls they may come across.

"I've enjoyed what I've been doing at international level – watching some top games and bringing back reports to George Burley – but I have missed the every day task of working with younger players and looking towards getting a result on a Saturday.

"So I am thrilled to now be involved at this level again and can't wait to get started."

Smith's first job is to fly out to the Principality of Liechtenstein tomorrow (Friday) to run the rule over their Europa League opponents FC Vaduz prior to the first leg of the second qualifying stage on July 16.

"We have to be up and running straight away, and prepared for the challenge ahead," he added. "There is no time to waste.

"Vaduz will be of a good standard, playing in the Swiss leagues, but I will compile a dossier on them which will hopefully help to take us through."

Pressley, meanwhile, will be cutting his teeth as a coach on the domestic front while continuing in his role with the national team.

"It was very important to meet with Eddie and discuss his philosophies on the game to make sure we were compatible," he said.

"We were both singing from the same hymn sheet so I am excited about working with both him and Alex.

"I'll assist in whatever way possible, get my hands dirty on the training field and develop as a coach while helping to develop the young players as well.

"There is a wonderful infrastructure here, fantastic facilities, a lovely stadium and great academy.

"That all allows you to do you job properly so it is a brilliant opportunity and I'm looking forward to getting started."

May gave his ringing endorsement of Pressley and Smith, adding: "Steven and Alex are fantastic people as well as coaches.

"They are the right people to be at this club – to get Falkirk playing entertaining football, develop the players and help us stay in the SPL.

"They will be very important but ultimately it all stops with me. I will make the final decisions."