A year in: It’s a labour of love for Martindale
Livingston boss David Martindale loves his job.
He’s just not sure whether he actually enjoys it or not.
The Lions’ 3-1 loss to Rangers on Sunday marked a year since Martindale’s first game in charge of the club he had served in various roles for six years previously.
Their 4-0 Betfred Cup win at home to Ayr United sparked a 14 game unbeaten run that elevated the club into the top six and the cup final as well as ensuring he was appointed manager on a permanent basis.
He also passed a ‘fit and proper person’ test by the Scottish FA and has often spoken about how football – and Livingston – helped him turn his life around after previously serving jail time for
drug offences.
But Martindale admits to mixed emotions during his first 12 months in the gig. Not least losing to St Johnstone at Hampden in the final and a poor run of form towards the end of last season meaning they had to settle for sixth place.
The 47-year-old doesn’t want to be doing anything else, but confesses it’s not always a job that brings him – or his family – enjoyment.
He said: “Have I enjoyed my first year? I don’t know if I can say that I have. I think you maybe enjoy it when you are no longer here and you maybe reflect on your time at a club.
“You only enjoy the victories for 15 minutes then you’re thinking about what’s next.
“I go back to us winning the Premiership play-off. I can remember me and Hoppy (David Hopkin) giving each other high fives then you immediately think, ‘we’re in the Premiership, who are we going to sign?’
“Then I went on a cruise and I couldn’t get WiFi at sea, Hoppy had left, and you’re jumping into ports and there is 40 messages.”
He added: “Do I enjoy my job? I think I do. Would you rather be out building houses or digging holes? I’ve got the opportunity to do a job that I love and it’s my passion.
“But you don’t get a chance to enjoy your job and at a club like Livingston I need to be very stable in my emotions because you will lose more games than you win.
“I would like to see myself doing it for the next 20 years, yes – so that probably tells you I enjoy my job.”
Having been assistant to Mark Burchill, David Hopkin, Kenny Miller and Gary Holt, Martindale had been used to being behind the scenes but admits being the main man means he’s the one in the firing line.
He commented: “The plaudits and negativity are geared more towards me whereas before my head was more below the parapet.
“You always felt the pressure before although it might now be more directed towards me. That’s probably the only thing that changes.
“I don’t feel any extra pressure because I put myself under the same pressure.
“My wife does not enjoy the social media aspect of it. I’ve got a past and a lot of nasty stuff gets said on social media.
“Everyone looks at the manager but you need the right backroom staff and players. We’ve always been a team environment with the coaching staff.
“It was myself and Hoppy, myself and Holty and now it’s myself and Marv (Bartley) and Dougie (Imrie). It’s always been a collective effort from everyone at the club.”