Scottish Premiership sack race: Who’s next to face axe after Wilfried Nancy and Jimmy Thelin?
Livingston boss David Martindale looks the most likely manager to be sacked next in the Scottish Premiership after Wilfried Nancy and Jimmy Thelin both lost their jobs at Celtic and Aberdeen.
Nancy was only hired by Celtic in early December as a permanent replacement for Brendan Rodgers after Martin O’Neill’s successful interim spell.
He was only able to manage his new side to just two wins in his first eight games in charge, so Celtic sacked Nancy on Monday and brought O’Neill back to the club on a deal until the end of the season.
Fellow Premiership side Aberdeen had dismissed Thelin a day earlier, with the decision taken after a 1-0 defeat at Falkirk saw them drop into the bottom half of the table.
The Swede was walking a tightrope prior to his sacking, and Martindale will feel as if he is in a similar position right now as Livingston languish at the foot of the top-flight.
David Martindale under pressure as Livingston on course for relegation
Martindale has been at the helm at the Almondvale Stadium for the last five years, and he led Livingston back to the Premiership at the first time of asking last season after relegation in 2023-24.
Their poor showings so far this term have drawn parallels to that relegation campaign, with the West Lothian-based side having won just once so far in 2025-26.
Livi’s astonishing 19-game winless run stretches all the way back to their sole triumph of the season against Falkirk on 9 August, as they came away with a 3-1 victory on home turf.
They looked to have a fine chance to pick up a rare three points on Tuesday, but Livingston’s game against 10th-placed St Mirren was called off due to a frozen pitch.
Martindale’s side are set to face fellow strugglers Kilmarnock this Saturday, and a loss in that clash between the Premiership’s two worst sides could well see him relieved of his duties.
What Livingston’s owner has said about Martindale
Despite this season’s struggles, Martindale is bound to have some credit in the bank with Livingston’s owners due to his long 12-year association with the club.
Chairman Calvin Ford recently released a statement to insist that he will continue to back the 51-year-old, even though they are on course for relegation.
He said: “Despite the incredible challenges we have faced this season thus far, Davie’s (Martindale) attitude, and the demeanour of his staff, have remained both positive and optimistic.
“There is no excuse for our poor record, and I want to recognise the anger, frustration, and disappointment that our play has created for our incredible fanbase, our dedicated staff, and amazing volunteers.
“I am here to build something sustainable that can only be accomplished by continuity, and not making harsh, unprepared, impulsive decisions.”
Ford is clearly happy to see Martindale continue at the helm, but how much longer he will be able to withstand pressure and backlash from their supporters remains to be seen.
He certainly looks to be the most likely manager in the Premiership to be sacked next, especially with Kilmarnock recently hiring Neil McCann and St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson being linked with the Aberdeen job.