Glenn Whelan sacked by Livingston after just four months

Glenn Whelan has been let go from his position as Livingstone head coach. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Livingston have sacked former Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan as head coach, vowing that ‘mediocrity is not an acceptable solution’.

Whelan was only appointed in May following their relegation from the Scottish Championship to the third tier but six points from the opening five games has triggered the axe by Livi chairman and US business tycoon Calvin Ford.

The assistant of the 91-times capped Irishman, former Sligo Rovers player and Waterford assistant Danny Ventre, has also exited.

Friday night's 1-0 loss home to Bartley's Stenhousemuir proved the final straw, with David Martindale reappointed as caretaker boss. He’d moved upstairs to sporting director after Martin Bartley was appointed for a short spell.

"I am writing to share an important update regarding the leadership of our first team,” wrote Ford in a message to fans.

“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 organisation.

“On behalf of everyone at Livingston FC, 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.

"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 criterias that will aid Livingston FC in finding the ideal candidate to lead our club going 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.” He added: "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.