Scottish Premiership boss in shock role change as new manager appointed

His assistant Marvin Bartley has stepped up to become the new head coach with the remit of keeping the struggling side in the Scottish Premiership.

Livingston are six points adrift at the bottom of the table and are without a win since August.

Martindale stated after the 2-0 defeat by Motherwell on Saturday that he would never resign from his post. He has, however, moved upstairs to bring an end to his five-year tenure in the dugout.

"I have to take accountability for this terrible run we have been on," stated Martindale, who first joined the club as a volunteer before working his way up to first-team manager in November 2020, on the club website. "This season has proven incredibly difficult for a number of reasons, and I fully understand that change was necessary at the club.

"I believe Marvin, supported by the staff and players, has the squad and ability to keep us in the league, but I know how big a job that will be. I will be here to offer any support I can going forward, but I am also conscious that there has to be a clear divide between my new role and the first team football department.

"I hope that we can all get behind the staff and players and help play our part in keeping LFC in the Premiership."

Bartley will take charge of Livingston for the first time when they host Falkirk at Almondvale on Wednesday. His appointment is a second managerial stint for the former Hibs midfielder, who previously had a 16-month tenure at Queen of the South, which ended with a mutual parting of ways at the end of the 2023-24 season following a seventh-placed finish in League One.

Livingston chairman Calvin Ford, who took over as majority shareholder in May last year, added: “Davie Martindale’s loyalty and passion for Livingston FC is unprecedented – an attitude and mentality that embodies the epitome of what an owner looks for in a 1st Team Manager.

"Davie and I align on our vision for what the future of this Club can be and what we can accomplish, which is why I am thrilled to have him remain at the Club as Sporting Director. With his knowledge of the game, passion for recruitment and understanding of how we want to build the Club, Davie’s participation in the growth of Livingston FC is absolutely vital to our long-term success.

"Marvin Bartley is ready for this opportunity. I have full confidence in his ability to lead this Club on the pitch and in the dressing room. His experience with Davie and at Queen of the South made the decision as Davie’s successor an easy one. He has my full support, and I look forward to watching Marvin achieve the very best from our players.

“I am excited about this new chapter at Livingston FC. I believe these changes will help our performance as a Club and organization both on and off the pitch, and ultimately will make us stronger as a community. I am grateful for the support of our fans and our larger team here at Livingston.”