Livingston have turned to former player Marvin Bartley in a bid to preserve their Premiership status.
The ex-midfielder has been appointed as manager with David Martindale moving into the new role of sporting director.
The shake-up comes with the West Lothian club rooted to the foot of the table, six points adrift of nearest rivals Kilmarnock.
Martindale has been the Lions boss for five years but has been replaced by his No. 2 after a winless run stretching to 24 games, with the only league win coming back in August.
The struggling West Lothian outfit felt compelled to make a change but the appointment of Bartley is a gamble with so much at stake, his only previous managerial experience coming at Queen of the South where he was in charge for 16 months in League One, winning 25 of 61 games.
Martindale said: “I have to take accountability for this terrible run we have been on.
“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 at the club, 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 footballing department.”
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