Danny Grainger has been put in temporary charge of Scottish League One side Falkirk.
The 35-year-old former Carlisle United skipper and Workington Reds manager left the West Cumbrian club during the summer to work as assistant to newly appointed head coach Paul Sheerin.
But just six months later, and immediately following a 6-0 hammering at Queen’s Park on Saturday, Sheerin was sacked.
Sheerin, 47, a midfielder who played well over 500 League games in Scottish football, had been appointed with the brief of leading the Bairns back to the Championship.
Last season they had finished fifth in League One after a late-season collapse saw them miss out on promotion and the play-offs.
After Saturday’s humiliating defeat Falkirk lie fifth in the table, nine points behind the leaders Cove Rangers.
A club statement read: “Falkirk Football Club has parted company with Head Coach Paul Sheerin.
“We wish to thank Paul for his efforts and hard work during his time at the Club and wish him well for the future.
“Assistant head coach Danny Grainger will take interim charge of first team duties while the club embarks on a search for a new head coach. A further update will be provided in the coming days.”
Until he signed for Carlisle United in 2014, Penrith-born Grainger had played all his senior football in Scotland with the likes of Gretna, Dundee United, Hearts and St Johnstone.
In his time at Brunton Park, from 2014 to 2019, he played 165 games for the Blues before announcing his retirement.
He joined Workington as manager in the NPL West and in two COVID-affected seasons had the Reds top and then jockeying for top spot when the campaigns were both halted early.
It was somewhat out of the blue when he left Borough Park in the summer to join Sheerin at Falkirk. The pair had played together for St Johnstone.
