Livingston manager David Martindale has voiced his concerns over the 'hire and fire' culture prevalent in Scottish football, arguing that it hampers the long-term success of clubs. With five out of the 12 Scottish Premiership clubs starting the new season with new managers, the average tenure for a manager in the top flight has dwindled to just 12.7 months.

Martindale, who has been at the helm of Livingston for four years and 198 days, is currently the longest-serving manager in the Premiership and the third longest in the Scottish Professional Football League's four divisions. He believes that the pressure from social media and fans for immediate results is contributing to this unstable environment.

Despite a challenging season that saw Livingston finish at the bottom of the table, 10 points behind Ross County, the club stood by Martindale. This decision paid off as he led the team back to the Scottish Premiership, highlighting the benefits of managerial continuity.

'I don't think the way football is going is the way forward,' Martindale stated. 'I'm a big believer in continuity, but I think social media and fan pressure play a part in trying to get instant results.'

Martindale's tenure at Livingston is a testament to the positive impact of stability. The club's decision to retain him during tough times resulted in a Challenge Cup victory last season and promotion back to the Premiership. 'If you use my scenario at Livingston, it was a tough season the season before, the club stuck by me and we have managed to take them back to the Scottish Premiership,' he said.

Looking ahead, Martindale acknowledges that Livingston's primary goal is to avoid relegation and consolidate their position in the Premiership. However, he also has aspirations to achieve more. 'Within the four walls, we will have aspirations to do a little bit better,' he added.

Despite having one of the lowest budgets in the league, Martindale is optimistic about the upcoming season. 'We've got a little bit more than we've had in previous seasons,' he noted, vowing not to dwell on financial constraints.

Martindale's journey underscores the importance of patience and continuity in football management, offering valuable lessons for other clubs in the Scottish Premiership.