Livingston: David Martindale manager until end of the season but awaits SFA approval
- Published
David Martindale has steered Livingston to four wins from four while in interim charge
David Martindale has been confirmed as manager of Livingston until the end of the season.
Martindale had been in interim charge following the resignation of Gary Holt last month.
Livi have posted four wins from four under Martindale's guidance.
Chief executive John Ward said: "I think we have seen over the last four games just how the players have responded to his leadership and management style."
Martindale, who spent four years in prison after pleading guilty in 2006 to being involved in organised crime, hopes to now pass the Scottish FA's fit and proper person test.
Holt left after 27 months in charge, with his side sitting 10th in the Scottish Premiership having picked up only one point in five games.
Since then, the West Lothian club have risen to seventh and have reached the League Cup semi-final.
Ward had said earlier this month that Martindale, who was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in 2006 for organised crime offences, has proved he is a changed man since leaving prison.
He pointed out that long-time assistant head coach Martindale rejected an offer to become manager in 2018 for fear of bringing "embarrassment" to the club.
"I am on record saying that I wanted him to take the job the last time we recruited," Ward said.
Martindale had combined his role as assistant with being the club's head of football operations.
He told the Livingston website: "I spent a large part of my life growing up in Livingston and I can honestly say I will do everything in my power to continue to push, pull and cajole Livingston FC to keep on punching above our weight."
'He's fantastic' - Livingston captain Bartley
Livingston captain Marvin Bartley says Martindale "can be a huge inspiration".
The midfielder told BBC Scotland: "He's fantastic, I don't just say that lightly.
"There are a lot of dishonest people within football, I've come across a few in my time. I like to think I'm a great judge of character and David Martindale is up there at the top. He's as honest as the day is long.
"He can be a huge inspiration to those who fall upon hard times and fall upon the wrong side of the law and want to rehabilitate themselves.
"There are plenty who break the law and continue to do that for the rest of their lives, but there's a percentage of people who realise that what they've done is wrong and they want to better themselves and they want to be reintroduced into society and make a huge contribution to society.
"He's the perfect person to continue what we're doing. He knows what the club wants and needs. From a player's point of view, he deserves the chance. All he can do is win games. The more he wins, the more people he convinces."
Missed Match of the Day 2? Stream all the goals and highlights from a huge day of Premier League games now
