Sacked boss vows to prove SPFL club wrong after 99-day disaster as ex-Hearts man takes aim at owners

Previously a first-team coach at Blackburn Rovers, he also worked under former Scotland internationals Shaun Maloney and Gary Caldwell in a similar role at Wigan Athletic. However, the 42-year-old’s first managerial role came at Livingston, where he replaced the outgoing Marvin Bartley as their new head coach following their relegation to the Scottish Championship.

However, despite welcoming eight new signings to the club, the former Hearts midfielder was unable to turn around the club’s fortunes, losing three of the club’s first five league matches before he was sacked by American owner Calvin Ford, who blasted: “Mediocrity is not an acceptable solution, and we will continue to work to find the leader that delivers on the ambitions and aspirations of sustained, high-level success that we expect at Livingston."

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Now, two weeks on from his departure, Whelan told the club’s hierarchy they’ll live to regret their decision to dispose of his services as he broke his silence on the sacking, telling Off The Ball: “I saw it as an opportunity to start my coaching role under difficult circumstances, regarding new players coming in and trying to get a settled squad.

“So to be relieved of my duties quite early in the season was disappointing and probably very harsh, from my point of view. It’s been a tough couple of weeks but I’ve had to sit on my hands a little bit and just accept it because there’s not a lot I can do once the decision’s been made.

“When I spoke to the sporting director and the owner, my last words were to remember my name – because this has only fuelled the fire that I have now to try and be a top head coach or manager. I would like to get back on the horse as soon as possible. I think if the right opportunity came up or someone was willing to listen to me or is interested in what I can do, then I would be more than happy to go and have that conversation.

“It’s not something we planned for, I brought an assistant up with me who left a very good role at Blackburn Rovers so I’m more disappointed for him because he changed his plans to come with me. Then obviously the rug was pulled from under our feet so quickly. So now it’s about getting back on the horse as quickly as possible to prove people wrong, and especially prove to the sporting director and an owner from a different club what I can do.”

Sporting director David Martindale and Frankie McAvoy have served as the interim head coaches of Livingston following his departure, and followed up a 4-1 win over Greenock Morton in the opening game in charge with a 2-2 draw at Inverness last weekend.