Livingston face fresh uncertainty after Marvin Bartley and his assistant quit, leaving Scott Arfield to take temporary charge and bookmakers naming likely successors
The recent upheaval at Livingston has thrust the club into a period of transition and speculation. On 7 May 2026 the club accepted the resignation of Marvin Bartley, who left after a short spell in the top job following a turbulent campaign that ended in relegation to the Scottish Championship.
In the immediate aftermath the club appointed Scott Arfield as an interim boss to oversee the final fixtures, while bookmakers and pundits began to name possible permanent replacements.
The sequence of events that led to Bartley’s departure has generated debate among supporters and commentators.
Bartley and his assistant, Neil Hastings, said they were surprised to be asked to reapply for their roles as part of a newly proposed process, a development they felt altered the terms under which they had agreed to step in.
Club statements referred to a new governance approach, including an executive football committee, and an ambition to return to an ambitious, attack-minded style that will guide the recruitment of a successor.
What happened under Bartley and immediate consequences
During his short tenure, Bartley recorded one win, six draws and four defeats across eleven matches, a run that offered glimpses of improved competitiveness despite ultimately failing to keep Livingston in the top flight. The campaign itself was difficult: the team endured a lengthy winless sequence earlier in the season that left the club fighting for survival. Bartley highlighted positive signs in performance and spirit but said the altered employment process and the timing of the change left him with no realistic option but to resign. The club confirmed the coaching departures and praised their efforts during a challenging period.
Interim leadership and final fixtures
With Bartley gone, Scott Arfield—a player who recently joined the squad—has accepted responsibility as caretaker for the closing games. His first match in charge began with a heavy away defeat at Dundee, and he will lead the side through the remaining fixtures as the club prepares for life in the Championship. The interim period is intended to give the board breathing space to decide on a long-term direction while ensuring the squad is managed professionally until the close of the season.
Names linked to the managerial vacancy
Bookmakers were quick to publish odds for the vacancy. A list provided by Gambling.Com features a mix of established figures and less obvious options. Among the frontrunners are familiar names from the Scottish game and beyond: Ray McKinnon is quoted among the shorter-priced candidates, while former managers such as Darren Ferguson and continental options also appear in the market. The list reflects a desire for experience combined with an ability to rebuild and pursue promotion back to the top tier.
Market favourites and what they represent
According to the odds, the bookmakers’ top choices include, in ascending order of likelihood: Ray McKinnon at 7/1, Darren Ferguson at 8/1, Jimmy Thelin at 10/1 and Steve Bruce at 14/1. Each name brings different credentials—some with domestic experience in Scotland, others with a record in English football or managerial stability. Supporters will weigh managerial style, recruitment networks and the ability to navigate the financial and competitive realities of the Championship when judging any eventual appointment.
Context and what comes next
Livingston now face a summer of reflection and planning. The board has signalled an appetite for structural change by proposing an executive football committee to shape footballing decisions and by setting a clear objective of returning to the Premiership. The new management appointment will therefore need not only to stabilise the playing squad but also to work within any revised governance framework. For fans, the immediate focus remains on the final fixtures under the interim regime, while longer-term hope rests on a careful recruitment process.
Key considerations for the incoming manager
Whoever is chosen will be asked to rebuild morale, strengthen a squad that endured a difficult season and align with the club’s declared style and targets. Important factors include transfer strategy, youth integration and a clear tactical identity suitable for success in the Championship. The club’s leadership has signalled it will look for a candidate capable of implementing an attacking philosophy and driving promotion efforts in the seasons ahead.
