Instead, the 41-year-old insists he will continue the club's well-established philosophy of football and build further on the good foundations which were laid by his predecessors.

It will be familiar ground for the former head of the Academy, who played a major role in developing the likes of captain Darren Barr, Tam
Scobbie and Scott Arfield, and producing no less than 24 internationalists during his five-year tenure.

In that time, he also established a youth structure and style of play which mirrored the first team and he now takes those principles into SPL management himself.

But although May will provide plenty of continuity following John Hughes' move to Hibernian, the rookie boss, who was handed a three-year deal, believes things will get better where it really matters – on the park.

"We will play in the right manner," he said. "That's getting the ball down and passing it.

"We need to play in the appropriate areas of the pitch and defend properly too.

"However, most importantly, we need to get crosses into the box and shots on goal.

"You can have all the possession in the world but if you don't cross or shoot then you'll never test anyone.

"I'm fortunate that Falkirk has developed very well over the last five years under John Hughes and Brian Rice and I possibly now have the luxury of just getting things right in the final third.

"It's a fantastic base to start off on and if I can achieve that then Falkirk will be better for it."

May, whose official title is head coach, will be part of a revamped management structure based on a continental model.

Working under managing director George Craig, May will be assisted by Steven Pressley and Alex Smith, and their sole responsibility is for the first team.

Meanwhile, through a separate branch currently under construction, a yet to be appointed head of football development will oversee all other playing aspects and the department will also incorporate a head of the football academy, a medical team, performance manager and recruitment manager.

And May says that his personal approach to dealing with all those he will be in contact with will pay dividends when it comes to achieving his primary goal – keeping Falkirk in the top-flight.

"You will never, ever see me on the sidelines barking at the referee or being disrespectful and I will be that way with everyone I deal with," he said.

"I'm a great believer in that if you treat people properly and with respect then you'll get it back. Success comes down to how you manage people.

"This is not about Eddie May and never will be. It's about the club, coaches and players all going in the right direction.

"I'm just a part of an organisation, and team philosophy and work ethic
are the most important things to me."

Those qualities were demonstrated during his playing days with Falkirk, when he was a midfielder of some note, making more than 200 appearances between 1991 and 1995 and twice winning promotion.

Previously with Hibernian and Brentford, May left Brockville for Motherwell in a £100,000 deal which included Steve Kirk and Paul McGrillen.

Another promotion with Dunfermline followed, a spell with Airdrie, Western Knights in Australia and then Berwick Rangers, before returning once again to Falkirk in 2002.

But while May insists his coaching career initially began more by accident than design, he says the offer to become manager seven years later did not come as a shock.

"I wasn't surprised when I got the call because I've had opportunities in the past to go elsewhere," he explained.

"I rejected them because of my development and what I owed the club. Falkirk have always been very good to me and I wanted to help them reach their ambitions.

"I was in the middle of a project with the academy, which is still nowhere near finished, so this was a massive decision but I had to
weigh up what was good for me and I am now delighted to be in this role.

"It's a completely different challenge but I'm sure I'm good enough to be successful and I'm looking forward to it.

"Staying in the SPL will be hard but that is our main goal. And if we can do better than that, then it will be fantastic."

With a limited budget and several players out of contract, May already has his work cut out before the Bairns enter European competition for the first time in 133 years against FC Vaduz at The Falkirk Stadium on July 16.

"It's a bit of history being the first man to lead Falkirk into Europe and I have John Hughes to thank for that," he added.

"In the meantime, the players return to training on July 1 and we will be as best prepared as possible for the tie when it comes around.

"I have previously had the luxury of watching them every single day so know their attributes quite well and have spoken to the ones out of contract which I consider appropriate to stay. Hopefully I will have a positive response in the next few days."

One player who will not be returning is Michael Higdon. The 25-year-old Scouse striker passed a medical with St Mirren yesterday (Wednesday) and has signed a two-year deal with the Paisley club.