Livingston FC owner Calvin Ford has no regrets over the decision to let Marvin Bartley leave the club in May. He is now overseeing a data-driven search for a new permanent manager, convinced the squad is too good to accept poor results.
Calvin Ford, who has owned the club since May last year, stated his position this week. Bartley resigned as Livingston head coach after being asked to reapply for his role following relegation from the Premiership. He has since been appointed manager of Stenhousemuir, who currently lead the Championship and face Hearts in a cup semi-final.
Ford said he is happy for Bartley's success elsewhere. "I am happy for Marvin, I think Marvin has done an incredible job at Stenhousemuir and good for him," said Calvin Ford. However, he believes the playing style Bartley has implemented is not what he wants for Livingston.
The owner's patience ran out with Bartley's successor, Glenn Whelan, who was sacked after three months in charge. That decision came after back-to-back defeats to Arbroath and, pointedly, Bartley's Stenhousemuir. Livingston were fifth at the time, seven points off the top, and Ford was critical of the team's tactics and organization.
"I have no regrets. The way that we handled things was, was the way that we handled things and, and I wouldn't change anything," Ford stated.
He is now not prepared to wait for a turnaround under a caretaker. Sporting Director David Martindale is in temporary charge, but Ford clarified this is not a long-term plan. The owner expects more immediate results from a squad he considers the strongest in the league.
Livingston's form has been mixed, with two wins and three losses in their last five games. They sit fourth in the Championship with nine points from six matches, a position Ford finds unacceptable. The 4-1 win over Morton last time out showed their potential, but they remain seven points behind leaders Stenhousemuir in the standings.
Ford plans to hire a search firm to identify a permanent manager using data and benchmarking, with overseas candidates a possibility. He stated that winning is what matters most and the change is necessary, despite any criticism of impatience.
The immediate focus is on the next fixture, a home match against Inverness CT on September 19. Fans can check the full schedule on the club's fixtures page. With the search for a new boss underway, the pressure is on the first-team squad to deliver performances that match the owner's high assessment of their ability.
More detail at heraldscotland.com
