Former Hearts star's sacking by SPFL club explained as 'footballing department' not responsible
Former Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Hearts midfielder was sacked by SPFL Championship side on Sunday
Former Hearts midfielder Glenn Whelan’s sacking as Livingston boss wasn’t a decision made by the ‘footballing department’, according to club Sporting Director and interim gaffer David Martindale.
The Irishman - who made 17 appearances for Hearts during his playing career - became the first SPFL managerial casualty of the season after nine games in charge of the Championship club. Assistant head coach Danny Ventre was also relieved of his duties at Almondvale as former Lions boss Martindale and ex Jambos coach Frank McAvoy take on the co-interim reins.
Whelan was appointed Livi head coach by owner Calvin Ford- who has sights on instant promotion back to the Premiership following last season’s relegation. However, the appointment didn’t go to plan as the former Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City and Aston Villa midfielder lost three of his first five league games in charge. In a statement made by the owner last week, Ford claimed he wasn’t going to accept ‘mediocrity’ at the club.
What has David Martindale said about Glenn Whelan’s dismissal?
Martindale has been associated with the Lions for over a decade in various roles. As he now prepares his side for league action on Friday night against fellow strugglers Greenock Morton, he was keen to stress Whelan’s dismissal was a decision made by the club’s hierarchy, rather than the ‘footballing department’.
Speaking to LFC Live, the new interim boss was also willing to accept personal responsibility. He said: “It (Whelan’s dismissal) wasn't a decision that was made from the footballing department but we do understand why it was made at the same time. We've now got a very well-run football club with a board that invests in the club. At the end of the day, they're the people that will make the big decisions.
“We had our opinions, but I think now we need to go and win this game of football on Friday. We need to get behind the players. We've started a rigorous recruitment process, trying to change how we've done it previously, and try and get a wee bit smarter with that. But again, Glenn and Danny lost their jobs, and I've let them down as well. We've let them down. Again, we're all in this together.”
Martindale on ‘sympathy’ for managerial casualty
He continued: “It's important that we realise that it's football - it's results-driven. Where we're sitting in the league is not acceptable. 3 out of 5 (defeats) is not acceptable. Of course I feel a sympathy for Glenn and Danny - I feel sympathy for every manager.
“It's a highly scrutinised job, with loads of opinions on everything you do. It’s especially harder when you’re coming up to a new country and a new league. But obviously, it's not kind of worked out the way we'd have liked it to. Who's to say it wouldn't have worked out the way we'd have liked it to in six, seven, eight games time. But we are where we are, and I think we need to really, really focus on the next game now - and the future.”
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