Livingston Football Club have moved quickly to relieve Glenn Whelan of his duties after less than three months in charge, reinstating David Martindale as interim head coach while the club conducts a wider search for a long-term appointment.
Short tenure ends amid poor start
Whelan, the former Republic of Ireland international appointed in May following Livingston’s relegation from the Scottish Premiership, leaves after overseeing a run of results that left the club fifth in the Scottish Championship. The club recorded two league wins and three league defeats during his spell, together with mixed results in the Premier Sports Cup.
The club’s American chairman and owner, Calvin Ford, said the search for a successor would be broader than the previous recruitment process and would place emphasis on data analytics.
"Our net will be cast far wider than it was in our previous search, and the focus of the search will be via data analytics. 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."
Interim coaching team and club continuity
David Martindale, who ended a six-year spell as Livingston manager in January to take up a sporting director role, will temporarily resume the head coach position. He will be joined by Frankie McAvoy as an interim coach, with Grant Murray and Brian Potter also assisting the duo.
The club confirmed that Whelan and assistant head coach Danny Ventre have left the organisation. The statement underlined the club’s intention to appoint a head coach capable of delivering sustained success and aligned with a clearly defined game model, incorporating analytics into the selection process.
- Whelan appointed in May following relegation from the Premiership.
- Team position under Whelan: fifth in the Championship.
- Interim coaching team: David Martindale, Frankie McAvoy, Grant Murray and Brian Potter.
Results and recent form
Livingston’s on-field record during Whelan’s leadership included two wins and three defeats in league play. In the Premier Sports Cup the club recorded two wins and two draws but did not progress from the group stage.
| Competition | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Championship | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Premier Sports Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Form in the league included recent setbacks — notably losses to part-time opponents Arbroath and Stenhousemuir, the latter of whom beat Livingston 1-0 away on Friday.
Background context and what comes next
Martindale’s reinstatement represents a familiar hand being placed back at the wheel: he previously managed the club for six years before moving into the sporting director role earlier in the year. The club also referenced the post-relegation departures that preceded Whelan’s arrival — Marvin Bartley had stepped down after the club’s relegation was confirmed and Scott Arfield served as player-boss for the final three Premiership matches.
Livingston have said they have begun the process of appointing a search firm to help identify their next head coach, signalling an approach that combines traditional scouting with a heightened focus on statistical analysis and fit to the club’s preferred model of play.
For local supporters, the change will intensify scrutiny on early results under Martindale and his interim staff, while the board’s public insistence on a data-led, wide-ranging recruitment process will prompt close attention to whom the club targets next. The rapid turnover also raises questions about stability at the Almondvale club as it seeks an immediate return to the top tier.
Club officials have not provided a timeline for a permanent appointment. In the interim, Martindale and McAvoy will prepare the squad for upcoming fixtures with the immediate aim of arresting the slide and rekindling promotion ambitions.
