David Martindale has ‘earned right’ to remain Livingston boss next season, says board

Livingston’s board believes David Martindale has “earned the right” to try to lead the team out of the Championship next term.

The West Lothian club announced on Monday that he will remain in charge in the wake of relegation from the Premiership.

The Lions won only five of their 38 league fixtures as they finished a grim campaign ten points adrift at the foot of the table, leading to the manager’s future becoming a talking point.

However, Martindale’s near-decade of “dedication” to the club, including his largely positive stint as manager since November 2020, have been taken into consideration by directors John McIlvogue, John Ward and Dave Black.

The club also acknowledged that the team had been hindered by the fact Martindale’s playing budget was significantly cut for the campaign just finished.

“There is no getting away from the fact that this season has been disappointing,” it read.

“Every single member of staff inside the building is hurting with how the year transpired and we know full well that the same disappointment and upset is shared amongst our supporters.

“However, we now have an opportunity to regroup, both on the park and in the stands, but we can only do with everyone pulling in the same direction.

“David has been involved with the coaching set-up here for almost ten years now.

“His involvement in the dugout has seen us lift a League One title, win the Premiership play-offs, two top-six finishes, two seasons just missing out on the top six on the final game before the split, a national cup final appearance and a club record six consecutive seasons in the top flight.

“For a club of our size and stature, that is an incredible return – and a list of achievements that David deserves huge credit for.

“As your board, we believe that David has earned the right to remain as first-team manager and have the opportunity to try to steer us back to the Premiership.

“His commitment and dedication to the club over the years is unrivalled and whilst that alone can’t be the sole driver behind remaining in charge, his qualities as a manager, as a coach and as a leader give us full confidence that David is the man we want in charge of this football club going forward.”