Kenny Miller will take the Falkirk reins for the final three games of the season after boss Martin Rennie announced he was stepping down to let the club prepare for next season.
Regarded as a wildcard appointment at the time after succeeding Paul Sheerin in December, the ex-Vancouver Whitecaps boss has won just five of his 16 games in charge - despite having arguably the largest budget in League 1.
Former Rangers and Scotland striker Miller was assistant to Rennie and will take charge until a new managerial appointment is made.
While Rennie will ‘assist in planning for next season and beyond’.
Miller holds a UEFA A licence and has previously had a managerial spell with Livingston and coaching roles with Australian sides Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers.
A club statement read: "The Board of Falkirk FC can today confirm that Head Coach Martin Rennie has decided to return to the United States at the end of the season.
"Martin joined us in challenging circumstances last December, and we’d like to thank him for stabilising results and for all his hard work in trying to turn around what has been a very difficult season for everyone involved with the club.
"Kenny Miller will lead the team for the final three matches of this season, while Martin continues to support the Board in planning for next season and beyond.
"The process of recruiting a new manager has already begun and we hope to be able to announce an appointment as soon as possible."
Speaking to The Falkirk Herald, Rennie explained the premature dugout departure in more detail.
He said: “The reason this has happened now is to help the club prepare properly for next year. Having a new coaching team come into a club late in the summer isn’t ideal but this will allow the club to have someone in place early on.
"I’ll be here for the final three matches supporting in the background and I really just want to thank everyone at the club for the support they have given me since joining.
"The supporters have really stuck by us considering the way results have gone and I want to thank them too for backing the squad during a difficult period.”
Falkirk are set to spend a fourth season in Scotland's third tier after another disastrous campaign where they lie in fifth place - 30 points behind league leaders Cove Rangers.
