Marvin Bartley has stepped down following Livingston’s drop from the top tier, with Scott Arfield named interim head for the final fixtures
The Livingston football club has confirmed that Marvin Bartley has resigned from his role as men’s first-team head coach following the team’s confirmed relegation from the top division. The club’s demotion was sealed when another result left the Lions unable to climb out of 12th place in the Premiership, a campaign in which they managed only two league victories.
Bartley, a 39-year-old former Hibernian player, had taken charge earlier in the season after the departure of his predecessor. Despite a short-lived improvement in results, the club announced that both Bartley and his assistant, Neil Hastings, have left the club with immediate effect.
Context and performance under Bartley
When Marvin Bartley assumed managerial duties he inherited a club in turbulent form and immediately sought to arrest a slide that had threatened their top-flight status. Under his stewardship, Livingston earned notable draws against some of the league’s established sides, including Hearts, Rangers and Hibernian, signaling a brief upturn in competitiveness.
Those results, though encouraging, ultimately proved insufficient to reverse a season defined by inconsistency and scant victories. The squad’s inability to convert improved performances into points culminated in relegation confirmation; the club’s standing at 12th place left no mathematical route to survival as other fixtures failed to swing their way.
Immediate aftermath and departures
News of the resignations followed a hastily postponed press engagement that had been scheduled for club communications, as the organisation moved quickly to formalise the change in leadership. The club released a statement confirming acceptance of the departures and expressing gratitude for the efforts of Bartley and his coaching staff during a difficult spell. In addition to the head coach’s exit, assistant coach Neil Hastings also vacated his post at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. The swift administrative actions underline how relegation often triggers immediate restructuring as clubs prepare for a different competitive and financial reality.
Interim leadership and the final fixtures
In the short term, the team will be led by Scott Arfield, who has been placed in interim charge for the remaining three fixtures of the season. Arfield, who only joined Livingston from Falkirk as a player in February, becomes the third figure to occupy a leadership role at the club during a season of upheaval. His first assignment in his temporary capacity will be an away match at Dundee, followed by trips to Dundee United and a final home fixture against Kilmarnock. These matches will represent both an immediate test for Arfield and a closing chapter on a turbulent campaign.
Arfield’s role and support structure
The club confirmed that Scott Arfield will be supported by an interim coaching team for the short period he is in charge, highlighting that the switch is designed as a temporary measure rather than a permanent appointment. Given that Arfield joined as a player only recently, his elevation to a leadership role reflects the pressing need for continuity and familiarity within the dressing room. The practical aim is to preserve team cohesion and prepare for the remaining fixtures while the club considers longer-term managerial options and the organisational changes that relegation typically necessitates.
Club statement and next steps
Livingston’s official communication thanked both departing coaches for their commitment and acknowledged the challenges faced during the campaign. The statement emphasised that the club will now turn its focus to the final matches and the planning required to address the consequences of relegation. Supporters and stakeholders can expect further announcements as the club assesses managerial candidates and outlines its strategy for rebuilding. For now, Scott Arfield and his interim team will oversee the immediate future, attempting to close the season with resilience and a measure of pride despite the setback.
