Ex-Premier League midfielder’s spell ends as Livingston turn interim

Ex-Premier League veteran Glenn Whelan saw his first permanent managerial role crumble after just five league games, while Livingston’s season spiralled to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, prompting the club to replace him with former boss David Martindale on Friday.

Appointment and early expectations

Whelan, the former Stoke and Aston Villa midfielder, was named head coach of the Scottish outfit in May, marking his first full‑time managerial job. The club announced the appointment with a Getty image of the new boss, hoping his 300‑plus Premier League appearances would translate into success.

His résumé also featured interim stints at Wigan and Bristol Rovers, as well as a spell in the Ireland set‑up, but Livingston offered him a permanent role to steer the team clear of relegation.

Results and dismissal

However, the start proved difficult; on Friday the side failed to reach the knockout rounds of the Premier Sports Cup after a 1‑0 loss to Stenhousemuir, managed by his predecessor Marvin Bartley.

In the league, Livingston collected only six points from five matches – two wins and three defeats, including losses to semi‑professional sides Arbroath and Stenhousemuir.

Club chairman Calvin Ford issued a statement on Sunday night confirming that Whelan and assistant Danny Ventre were leaving. “After careful consideration and thorough discussions, the Club can confirm that head coach Glenn Whelan and assistant head coach Danny Ventre are no longer with the organisation,” Ford wrote.

Martindale will step back into the dugout as interim, assisted by Frankie McAvoy, Grant Murray and Brian Potter. The statement added that a search firm would be engaged to find a new head coach, with a wider net and data‑analytics focus.

Livingston finished rock‑bottom of the Scottish Premiership, 13 points adrift of St Mirren, and the club stressed that “mediocrity is not an acceptable solution”. The contrast between Whelan’s high‑profile playing career and his brief managerial stint underlines the challenges former stars face when transitioning to management.