\n<\/p>\n
Marvin Bartley has taken over as Livingston manager with David Martindale moving to a new role as sporting director at the Scottish Premiership bottom club.<\/b><\/p>\n
Martindale moves upstairs after five years as manager, with the club winless in 24 games and six points adrift at the foot of the table.<\/p>\n
The West Lothian’s sole league victory this season came in August and Martindale is now replaced by his assistant Bartley following Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Motherwell.<\/p>\n
Livingston’s run of 22 games without a league victory is only matched by one top-flight team this century – Hamilton in the 2010-11 season.<\/p>\n
Bartley’s only previous managerial experience came in a 16-month spell with Queen of the South in League One, when he won 25 of his 61 matches in charge.<\/p>\n
Martindale’s exit comes less than 24 hours after he told BBC Scotland he did not “fear for his job” and expressed his desire to stay.<\/p>\n
In the club statement confirming the managerial changes, Martindale, 51, said: “I have to take accountability for this terrible run we have been on.<\/p>\n
“This season has proven incredibly difficult for a number of reasons and I fully understand that change was necessary at the club.<\/p>\n
“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. <\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“This changing room has more than enough within it to start putting points on the board. I ask that we collectively show immediate and positive support for Marvin and the players for what will be another massive game on Wednesday night.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n