PROFILE: Martin Rennie

Falkirk have announced the appointment of new manager Martin Rennie on a deal until the end of the season, pipping ex-Hamilton boss Brian Rice to the position. 

The 46-year-old becomes the sixth manager in four years to manage the League One club and is the man tasked to rejuvenate the under-performing Bairns and get them back into contention for promotion. 

Having grown up in Larbert, the Scot was a Bairns fan during his childhood and was a ball boy for the team. 

Rennie spent his playing career at junior clubs, Dunipace and Bo’ness United, before embarking on an illustrious career managing teams in the United Soccer League (USL), Major Soccer League (MSL) and Korea.

So, who exactly is the new manager in charge of the Bairns, and what experience does he have? 

Cascade Surge: 2005

Rennie first cut his managerial teeth with Oregon Premier Development League side, Cascade Surge. 

In his only season of management, the Surge won the North Division West title, reached the West Coast Championship final and qualified for the US Open Cup.

Cleveland City Stars: 2007-2008

After two years out of management, Rennie was appointed manager of the City Stars, who competed in the USL Second Division. 

In his first season, he led the club to runners-up in the league, while also achieving the Coach of the Year Award for his achievement. 

The club also improved the year after, with the club winning the 2008 United Soccer League Championship over Charlotte Eagles in front of a sold-out stadium. The game was broadcast across the whole of the US. 

However, after Rennie left, the club struggled financially and later folded in 2009. 

Carolina RailHawks: 2009-2011

Rennie then began managing at the North Carolina club, who were playing in the USL. At the time of his appointment, the club had only made the play-offs once in their history, and had never finished higher than eighth in a league campaign. 

Rennie totally overhauled the playing squad and brought in a culture that was unheard of at that level of American soccer. His team immediately saw an improvement by the end of his first season, with the club finishing second, only missing the title by two points. 

The revolution continued into the 2010 season, where the club established themselves as one of the best outside the MLS. The RailHawks also won the NASL title and reached the Championship final. 

Vancouver Whitecaps: 2011-2013

After his success with the RailHawks, Rennie was appointed at MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps. 

At the end of the 2011 season, he revamped his squad by bringing in Scottish international players, such as, Kenny Miller and Barry Robson. In his first season, the Blue and White’s reached the play-offs. 

In 2013, he brought in Premier League experience by signing Nigel Reo-Coker to the squad, who under his tutelage became known in the MSL for their entertaining and attacking style of play. 

Despite winning the 2013 Cascadia Cup and having led the club to their most successful season to date, he was sacked in October 2013. 

Seoul E-Land: 2014-2016

After almost a year out of management, Rennie moved to Korea in summer 2014 to manage K League Two club Seoul E-Land. 

In the club’s first season in the league, he led them to third position, missing out on promotion to the K League Classic. 

Rennie was sacked by the club in June 2016, with the club sixth in the league. 

Indy Eleven: 2018-2021

Rennie was then appointed in January 2018 as the manager of USL club, Indy Eleven. His appointment at the Boys in Blue marked a return to American soccer for the first time in five years, and the USL for the first time in seven years. 

He helped establish the club as an USL Championship side in his three-and-a-half year tenure, having left his position in June this year.