Marvin Bartley appointed as new manager of Queen of the South

Marvin Bartley has been named as the new manager of Queen of the South.

The 36-year-old has left his position as assistant manager at Livingston to succeed Wullie Gibson at Palmerston Park.

Bartely, who counted Hibs, Bournemouth and Burnley among his former clubs before moving to Livi as a player in 2019, takes on his first job as manager.

He said that working nuder managers Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche, but particularly David Martindale, had helped equip him with the skills to make the most of the opportunity.

“I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to become Queens manager,” he told the club’s official website.

“I have enjoyed being assistant at Livingston and owe David Martindale a huge debt of gratitude for the time taken to help mould my management style, but I feel the time is now right for me to make a step up and be my own boss.

“My experience at Livingston, coupled with the knowledge accrued playing under Eddie Howe and Sean Dyche puts me in good stead to make the most of the opportunity at Queens, which is a great club with a lot of potential.

“They have a strong youthful squad and with a few additions I’m confident we can climb the table. I am looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”

Livingston boss Martindale gave his former assistant his full backing and said that he would be missed at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

“I have a mixture of emotions in terms of feeling both delighted for Marvin but sad that we’re losing him from the football club,” he said.

“He has been with us for four seasons now and hand on heart I can say he is genuinely a fantastic person and has a huge future in the world of football management.

“I’m losing a friend on a day-to-day basis and a huge part of what we do at Livingston, but I am delighted for him at the same time.

“He will always be welcome back and goes with everyone’s best wishes.”