Marvin Bartley replaces Liam Fox as the assistant manager to Livingston boss David Martindale; the club captain first joined the Scottish Premiership side in 2019 after a spell at Hibernian
Saturday 22 May 2021 10:48, UK
Livingston captain Marvin Bartley has been announced as the new assistant manager to boss David Martindale at the Scottish Premiership club.
The 34-year-old, who has overseen the club's reserve side for the past two seasons, will remain registered as a player next season.
The midfielder first joined Livingston from Hibernian in 2019 and has gone on to make 77 appearances, later captaining the side to the Scottish League Cup final in February where they were beaten by St Johnstone.
Discussing his appointment, Bartley said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of assistant manager.
"When I first came into the club and was speaking to Davie about signing, I said that I wanted to go into coaching and he allowed me to do that with the reserves first and foremost before I took on the manager role at the start of this season and this is almost like a natural progression.
"I'm delighted to be offered this position and that Davie trusts me in the role too.
"I believe in myself 100 per cent and have played under great managers where I've always been learning so I feel I can be comfortable in the position.
"I think I've got the respect of the lads in the changing room and in football, when people feel that you know what you're talking about and enjoy your sessions and people are willing to learn, then it goes well.
"I've got aspirations to one day be a manager myself but I've got to take the right steps in order to get there and I think I've done that with the reserves and will now give it my all as assistant manager."
Livi boss Martindale added: "I'm really pleased that Marvin has taken this opportunity.
"I have a fantastic relationship with him as my captain and I'm delighted that we'll now take this to the next level and have him by my side in the dugout next season.
"I think it's clear for everyone to see that Marvin is very well educated on and off the field.
"He has led Livingston FC with distinction over the last few years both on and off the park and is a very well-respected member of the football playing squad and I personally feel this is a great move for him.
"He knows what the club is all about and has fitted into the ethos here seamlessly.
"I have watched him closely with the reserve squad from a coaching point of view and I know he will be a massive asset going forward from a coaching perspective, and will still be able to do a job on the park when called upon."
