Former Hearts ace sacked after nine games as boss, ex-Jambos coach replaces him in brutal 'mediocrity' message
The former Hearts, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday man has been sacked by an SPFL club.
Livingston have sacked former Hearts player Glenn Whelan after just nine games in charge of the Scottish Championship side.
Sporting director David Martindale returns to the Almondvale dugout after vacating the post last season, alongside Frankie McAvoy, who was at Tynecastle for almost three years across academy director and first team positions before departing in September 2024. Former Hibs coach Grant Murray will also assist the pair ahead of Livingston’s next clash against Greenock Morton this Friday.
Whelan was undertaking his first managerial gig after vast playing experience in England at Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City, alongside a brief Scottish stint at Hearts. That spell during the 19/20 term didn’t go too well as he left after less than a year in Gorgie and time with Livingston hasn’t gone much better. Whelan has been handed his marching orders after a 1-0 loss at home to Stenhousemuir on Friday night. They have won two of their five league matches so far, losing three, and exited the Premier Sports Cup at the group stage, with owner Calvin Ford firing a barbed ‘mediocrity’ dig after the ex Aston Villa, Hearts and Sheffield Wednesday man’s tenure. He previously coached at Bristol Rovers, in the Republic of Ireland structure, and with Wigan Athletic.
Who has been sacked as Livingston manager?
Ford said in a statement: “I am writing to share an important update regarding the leadership of our first team. After careful consideration and thorough discussions, the Club can confirm that Head Coach Glenn Whelan and Assistant Head Coach Danny Ventre are no longer with the organization.
“On behalf of everyone at Livingston Football Club, I want to express our gratitude for their hard work, dedication, and service during their time with us. We are grateful for everything they have contributed to the Club, and we wish them the best in their future coaching careers and personal endeavours.
“In the short term, David Martindale & Frankie McAvoy will temporarily step in as interim coaches assisted by Grant Murray and Brian Potter. Davie’s past success and proven track record in the Scottish Championship made this decision easy, and we look forward to refocusing and finding success on the pitch while he holds this position.
Why have Livingston sacked Glenn Whelan?
“Looking ahead, we have already begun the process of securing the appropriate search firm to help us find our next head coach. Our net will be cast far wider than it was in our previous search, and the focus of the search will be via data analytics that fit in with the clubs game model, and other important criteria’s that will aid Livingston FC in finding the ideal candidate to lead our Club forward. Mediocrity is not an acceptable solution, and we will continue to work to find the leader that delivers on the ambitions and aspirations of sustained, high-level success that we expect at Livingston. Nothing else is acceptable.
“As always, we are led by the credo that the Club comes first. We are driven by our desire to win and compete at the highest level, and we feel that this decision is appropriate given the unfortunate start to the 2026/27 season. Thank you for your continued dedication and unwavering support of Livingston FC.”