Gary Holt makes Falkirk return as new Sporting Director

The 47-year old, who managed the Bairns from 2013 to 2014, left his job as manager of Premiership side Livingston in November.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Holt said: “It’s great to be back at Falkirk and I’m really excited to get started. Falkirk has always held a special place in my heart for giving me my big break in management. I feel there’s a bit of unfinished business here and I’m going to devote all my energies in getting this Club back to the Scottish Premiership. I’ve learned much in my time away from the Club and I’m ready to put that into action. The Board have set out to me a compelling vision for the return of a youth and talent development pipeline and the need to develop a five-year football strategy which ensures that all departments, from recruitment to sport science and analysis, are all working in harmony. We want to squeeze every last ounce out of the resources we have here and I am confident we can be successful.

“In Lee & David we have two excellent young coaches who have got this team to the top of the league – let’s not forget that. I’m here to be additive to what they are doing and to be another experienced voice they can turn to. Let me be clear – I’m not here to be the next Falkirk manager – I’m here to make sure we have the right environment and infrastructure to ensure that Lee & David can succeed and get this Club moving forward again.”

Falkirk chairman Gary Deans added: “The Club’s Board of Directors have been clear since the middle of 2020 that we needed an individual in the Sporting Director role. We have high aspirations for this Club, both on and off the park, and we’ve been looking for the right individual who can take forward our vision to reintroduce a youth and talent development pipeline, to develop our off-field infrastructure and ultimately to support our management team get this Club back to the Scottish Premiership.

“We interviewed a number of very high quality candidates who all expressed the sentiment that this was a fantastic opportunity at a club with genuine ambition and enormous potential – but Gary was our unanimous choice.

“In Gary we have a candidate who ticks all the boxes in terms of youth development experience, football knowledge, recruitment contacts and all the other attributes which are required at a modern and progressive football club. Added to that we’ve seen Gary demonstrate a real desire to drive change and push for excellence in everything he does – that made him the unanimous choice of the Board and our new investors for this role.

“Finally, Gary knows this Club, knows the expectations that are here and he’s up to the challenge. He’ll work tirelessly to support Lee Miller & David McCracken finish this season strongly, and will drive change in all parts of the Club.”