What does Martindale's move upstairs mean for Livingston?

"It's the end of an era at Livingston. Or is it? David Martindale's five-year reign as manager is over, but the charismatic ex-gaffer is staying at the club and becoming sporting director. It's a move that both perplexes and makes perfect sense. Martindale's bond with the club runs deep, having been involved in some capacity for over a decade. He has combined his role as manager with various other positions, famously including handyman."

"His grip over Livingston has felt omnipotent at times, but the arrival of chairman Calvin Ford created a new dynamic and, while he was publicly backed by his new boss, their diabolical run of form meant something had to give. Despite that, without a win since August, Ford felt a clean break would not do. Martindale's advice is too valuable, seemingly. But what does this mean for Livingston, and what does the new regime look like?"

"The role of sporting director feels fairly recent and fluid in Scottish football. Does a sporting director oversee recruitment? Analysis? Club operations? The academy? It's hard to tell, as the role at every club can differ. In the Scottish Premiership, only four teams currently have one - Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and now Livingston. Will Martindale be as front facing as, for example, Lutz Pfannenstiel, who has been leading Aberdeen's manager search and even sitting on the bench?"

David Martindale's five-year tenure as Livingston manager ends as he moves into a sporting director role while remaining employed by the club. Martindale has been involved with Livingston for over a decade and has combined managerial duties with multiple other positions, famously acting as a handyman. The arrival of chairman Calvin Ford altered the club dynamic, and a poor run of form without a win since August precipitated change, though Ford opted to retain Martindale for his advice. The sporting director role in Scottish football remains fluid and varies between clubs; only Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and Livingston currently have one. Uncertainty persists about Martindale's influence on recruitment, team selection and media duties under new manager Marvin Bartley.

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