Livvy on the hunt for Hopkin replacement
LIVINGSTON will today step up the search for a new boss after David Hopkin dramatically quit just 11 days after masterminding the club’s fairytale promotion back to the Premiership.
Hopkin was offered a new deal after back-to-back promotions took the West Lothian outfit from League One to the Premiership but yesterday decided to pursue ‘a new challenge’.
The 47-year-old former Scotland international midfielder has been linked with Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town and Barnsley.
His future is likely to become clearer next week but it’s understood he will not be speaking to St Mirren about the other Premiership vacancy in Paisley.
Under Hopkin last season, little-fancied Livvy finished second to Championship winners St Mirren before beating Dundee United and Partick Thistle in the play-offs to earn an unlikely promotion on a meagre budget.
Yesterday, Livvy confirmed that candidates had already been under scrutiny by the board in the event that Hopkin did choose to depart his post.
Names likely to be on the newly-promoted club’s radar include Robbie Neilson, Jim Duffy, Jim McIntyre, John Hughes, Alan Stubbs, Gary Caldwell and John Hartson — who successfully coached the Livvy strikers under Hopkin during their remarkable rise to the top flight.
Sportsmail understands a board meeting will be convened this afternoon to discuss the way forward at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Yesterday, Hopkin confirmed his decision to move on, saying: ‘After a great three-and-a-half seasons at Livingston FC, and after much deliberation, I feel it is now time for me to seek a new challenge in football.
‘The players have improved each season and been willing to take on new information and believe in my football philosophy.
‘It gives me great satisfaction when I see a player improve and instilling that winning mentality I have always had as a player and a coach.
‘The team spirit and togetherness created by the players and staff will always be special to me.
‘The squad of players the next manager will inherit will be a strong unit that I am sure will help push the club even further.’
Livingston last night confirmed that first-team coach David Martindale will be taking charge of football affairs until a new boss is hired.
And, in a statement, the club insisted Hopkin had not quit over concerns over his salary or the team’s budget for their first season back in the top flight in 12 years.
The Livvy statement read: ‘David is aware of the speculation around other positions, and although he has been open and transparent and not accepted any other role at this time, he feels that the longer this continues the more it will undermine the success that he and the coaching staff have achieved.
‘His decision is not the consequence of an unacceptable offer or budget, but is based purely on personal circumstances, which we fully respect and acknowledge.
‘We would like to put on record our deep gratitude for David’s efforts in guiding us back to the Premiership and wish him well whatever the outcome of his future talks.
‘The club has been assessing other candidates in the knowledge that David would potentially move on. We will take time to consider these options.’
Meanwhile, Livvy have signed former Motherwell defender Steven Saunders on a two-year deal.