Marvin Bartley lands assistant manager role at Livingston

Livingston club captain Marvin Bartley is to become assistant manager to boss David Martindale, the Scottish Premiership club have announced.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who will remain registered as a player for the 2021-22 season, takes over from Liam Fox.

Fox, along with goalkeeping coach Tony Caig, left the club earlier this week.

Former Bournemouth player Bartley has made 77 appearances for the Lions and also overseen the club’s reserve side since moving from Hibernian in 2019.

Bartley, who led out the team in this season’s Scottish League Cup final, told the club’s website: “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.”

Martindale said: “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.”