Marvin Bartley to become Livingston FC Assistant Manager
Livingston FC is pleased to announce that club captain Marvin Bartley will replace Liam Fox as new Assistant Manager to David Martindale.
Having helped out and then overseen the Reserve side at the club for the past two seasons, Marvin will now take the next step in his coaching career, becoming Assistant Manager and joining the rest of the coaching team in the dugout ahead of next season.
With that said, Marvin will still remain registered as a player for the 2021/22 campaign, balancing the playing side along with the coaching side too.
Having joined the club from Hibernian in 2019, Marvin has gone on to rack up 77 appearances across two seasons as well as taking on the captaincy last season which would see him lead the team out at Hampden for the Betfred Cup final back in February.
With bags of experience in the game both north and south of the border, Marv will now look to pass that knowledge on, both on and off the park.
Marvin 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% 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.”
Manager David 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.
“When I first spoke to Marvin a few years ago, I always said there would be coaching opportunities at Livingston FC in the future, but we would just get him in as a player initially, and allow the relationship to grow from there and see where it takes us.
“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 & 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.
“I am happy and grateful that I can offer this opportunity to Marvin and delighted he has accepted. 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.”
