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Favourites to become new Livingston manager

In this article, we take a look at the favourites to become new Livingston manager following the departure of Gary Holt on Thursday.

Livingston FC regretfully announce that we have accepted the resignation of our head coach, Gary Holt.

Head of Football Operations, David Martindale said: “Gary has been tremendous for the club over the past few seasons and we have all enjoyed working with him on and off the park. It’s very rare in football these days that all parties come out the other end with their relationships firmly intact however, I can honestly say this is the case with Gary’s resignation.

“It’s been a tough season and we are probably a victim of our own success in comparison to last season, which ultimately raised everyone’s expectations including players along with all staff at the club. So, when we don’t quite hit those heights again it can feel like something needs to change and I totally understand Gary’s thought process. Gary can leave Livingston knowing he has left us in a better place than when he arrived. Has Gary helped improve Livingston FC? That’s a simple one to answer – 100% yes.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone at the club in wishing Gary nothing but success and I hope his positivity and energy isn’t lost to the game for too long.”

Gary Holt said “It is with great regret that I have made the difficult decision to resign as manager of Livingston FC.

“This is not a decision that I have taken lightly but feel it is the right time for me to step away. I am proud to say the work we have done over the past two years has resulted in great success both on and off the pitch. The progression the club has seen has been remarkable to be part of and last season’s 5th place finish was one of many highlights.

“I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to the club, fans and players for all their support during my tenure.

“I wish nothing but the best to everyone connected to the club for the future and hope there is a great deal more success to come. Holty.”

David Martindale and Tony Caig will take charge of the first team on an interim basis.

6) David Hopkin

As a player, he was a midfielder from 1989 until 2003, mostly in the English Premier League with spells with Chelsea, Leeds United and Bradford City. He also played in the EFL for Crystal Palace and started and finished his career in his native Scotland with Greenock Morton. He earned 7 caps for Scotland, scoring 2 goals.

Since retiring as a player he has worked as a coach at Morton and Livingston, becoming the head coach of Livingston in 2015. Hopkin guided Livingston to successive promotions in 2017 and 2018, but opted to leave the club in May 2018. He became manager of Bradford City in September 2018, but left this position after less than six months.

He now currently manages Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton and has done since May 2019.

Odds according to Sky Bet: 16/1

5) John Hughes

John Hughes is a Scottish professional football player and manager currently not attached with any club.

He played mainly as a central defender for several clubs, including Falkirk, Celtic, Hibernian and Ayr. Towards the end of his playing career, he took on coaching responsibilities, and was appointed manager of Falkirk in 2003 (initially as co-manager with Owen Coyle). Hughes guided Falkirk to promotion to the Scottish Premier League and a Scottish Cup Final during his time in charge. He eventually left Falkirk to take up the managerial role at Hibernian in 2009, but left by mutual consent after 16 months.

Hughes was appointed manager of Livingston in February 2012, but left in November to take over at Hartlepool United. He departed the club in May 2013 after being unable to prevent their relegation to League Two. Hughes soon returned to football when he was appointed manager of Inverness in December 2013. He led the club to their first major silverware with the Scottish Cup in May 2015 and their first foray into European football. Hughes left Inverness in May 2016. He then had a brief stint with Raith Rovers, which ended in them being relegated to Scottish League One.

Odds according to Sky Bet: 16/1

4) Neil Alexander

Neil Alexander is a Scottish football coach and former professional player, who is currently the goalkeeping coach at Dundee United.

He began his career with spells at Stenhousemuir and Livingston, before joining Cardiff City in May 2001. At Ninian Park, he went on to make over 200 appearances in all competitions during a six-year spell at the club, helping them achieve promotion to the Football League First Division via the 2003 Football League Second Division playoff final. A contract dispute with the club led to a free transfer to fellow Football League Championship side Ipswich Town in 2007.

After six months at Portman Road, he then moved to Scotland with Rangers. Alexander was primarily understudy to Allan McGregor, but won the Scottish Cup twice, the Scottish League Cup three times and played in the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. He became the first choice goalkeeper for Rangers after McGregor left the club following Rangers entering administration and subsequent liquidation in 2012. He left Rangers in 2013 after a dispute over wages, having won the Scottish Third Division title at the first attempt, to join Premier League side Crystal Palace. He made one appearance for Palace during the 2013–14 season, in the League Cup, before being released.

He returned to Scotland for a third spell following the end of his contract at Palace with Heart of Midlothian. In his first season with the club, he helped them win the Scottish Championship title, returning to the Scottish Premiership after one season and remained first choice the following season, as they achieved a third-place finish in the top division. Alexander was released by Hearts in 2016 and then spent a year as a backup at Aberdeen. He then returned to Livingston in 2017, and helped them win promotion in his final season as a player.

Alexander represented Scotland at under-21 and B levels and gained three caps at full international level in 2006, winning the Kirin Cup.

Odds according to Sky Bet: 12/1

3) Marvin Bartley

Marvin Bartley currently plays for Scottish Premiership club Livingston as a midfielder. Early in his career, Bartley played for English non league clubs such as Burnham, Hayes, Didcot Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough. He broke into the professional leagues in 2007 with Bournemouth, where he made over 100 EFL appearances. Soon after Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe moved to Burnley in 2011, Bartley followed Howe to Turf Moor.

Bartley fell out of favour at Burnley after Howe returned to Bournemouth in October 2012. He moved on loan to Leyton Orient, then joined Orient on a permanent basis after he was released by the Clarets in January 2014. Bartley left Orient in the summer of 2015 and signed for Hibernian. He helped them win the Scottish Cup in 2016 and promotion in 2017. After his contract with Hibernian expired in May 2019, Bartley signed for Livingston and has remained there ever since.

Odds according to Sky Bet: 6/1

2) Tommy Wright

Thomas Wright is a footballer and coach who was most recently manager of St Johnstone.

Wright played as a goalkeeper, and represented Northern Ireland 31 times as a player. At club level he played for Grange Rangers, Brantwood, Linfield, Newcastle United, Hull City, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Manchester City, Wrexham and Bolton Wanderers.

Since retiring as a player he has worked as a coach or manager for Limavady United, Ballymena United, Shamrock Rovers and St Johnstone. He guided St Johnstone to their win in the 2014 Scottish Cup Final, which won the first major national trophy in their history; he left his role there in May 2020, and is regarded as the most successful manager in the club’s history.

Odds according to Sky Bet: 11/2

1) David Martindale or Tony Caig

Livingston’s assistant manager David Martindale and goalkeeping coach Tony Caig will take charge of their Betfred Cup clash at home to Ayr United on Saturday.

Head of Football Operations, David Martindale said: “Gary has been tremendous for the club over the past few seasons and we have all enjoyed working with him on and off the park. It’s very rare in football these days that all parties come out the other end with their relationships firmly intact however, I can honestly say this is the case with Gary’s resignation.

“It’s been a tough season and we are probably a victim of our own success in comparison to last season, which ultimately raised everyone’s expectations including players along with all staff at the club. So, when we don’t quite hit those heights again it can feel like something needs to change and I totally understand Gary’s thought process. Gary can leave Livingston knowing he has left us in a better place than when he arrived. Has Gary helped improve Livingston FC? That’s a simple one to answer – 100% yes.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone at the club in wishing Gary nothing but success and I hope his positivity and energy isn’t lost to the game for too long.”

Tony Caig has previously been – Carlisle United (Interim Manager in 2013 and 2014), Hartlepool United (Goalkeeping Coach, 2015-2017), Bury FC (Goalkeeping Coach, 2017-2019) and as mentioned is currently at Livingston (Goalkeeping Coach).

Odds according to Sky Bet: 1/5

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